Putting It To A Vote

Pakistan's military leader launched a campaign Friday to extend his hold on power, setting a referendum for early May to determine whether voters want him to remain in office after the restoration of civilian rule.

President Pervez Musharraf said the referendum would be aimed at introducing "real democracy" in Pakistan, which has lived under military rule for half of its 54-year history.

Musharraf also said he would not allow former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan to contest an election and "plunder the national wealth."

He said Bhutto and Sharif - leaders of the two main opposition parties - "have no role in Pakistani politics."

In a broadcast speech, Musharraf did not spell out by how long he wanted to extend his rule. But he is widely expected to seek a five-year term in the referendum, which he said would be held in the first week of May.

"I want you, the people of Pakistan to tell me whether I am required or not," he said.

Musharraf did not specify an exact date for the referendum or spell out the wording on the ballot during his more than 90-minute speech. The government-run news agency said those details would be determined later by the Election Commission.

Musharraf seized power in October 1999 in a bloodless coup but agreed later to accept a Supreme Court ruling and restore democracy within three years. Parliamentary elections have been announced for October in line with the pledge.

Heads of state in Pakistan are chosen by the two houses of parliament. By holding a referendum on his stewardship beforehand, Musharraf will attempt to bypass the legislature and ensure his stay in power for another five years regardless of the outcome of the October vote.

"People should use their right of vote to determine my role about the continuation of my policy," Musharraf said. "You, the people of Pakistan, should decide what should be my role in the next setup. Those who want me to continue my reform should be on my side. I want the entire world to know that the 140 million people of Pakistan are behind me."

Much of Musharraf's speech was devoted to an account of his accomplishments in reforming the economy, fighting poverty, restoring law and order and combating Islamic extremism.

He said the achievements of his government would be wasted if he cannot "cap the restructuring and reforms" he has undertaken in the past two years.

On the economy, Musharraf said his government has cut the deficit to 5.2 percent from a high of 7 percent when he took power.

Musharraf referred indirectly to his decision last year to abandon the Afghan Taliban and join the U.S.-led war on terrorism, saying that "after Sept. 11, the world has changed."

"Now we are an honorable state," he said. "No one is saying that we should be declared a terrorist state."

Musharraf also said he would like to amend the constitution to provide a system of checks and balances to prevent abuse of power by elected officials.

Without going into details, he spoke of the need for a new relationship between the president, traditionally a figurehead position, and the prime minister who wields real power.

Musharraf said he would retain some powers so that the new prime minister selected after the October election "cannot damage the national interest."

"I will support the prime minister if he wants to work for the welfare of Pakistan," Musharraf said.