Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said on October 5 that he would not be "running" the government after general elections on October 10 and promised to hand over "full" responsibility to the elected Prime Minister.

Chairing the Cabinet meeting he said, "After the elections, the Prime Minister will be fully in charge and empowered to govern the country," he was quoted as saying by the official APP news agency.

He said as President of Pakistan, however, he would discharge his Constitutional duties to ensure continuity of good governance through Constitutional measures.

Ever since he brought in the new Constitutional amendments granting him powers to dismiss the Parliament, Musharraf has said he would hand over powers to run day-to- day administration to the Prime Minister and keep a strict vigil on the functioning of the elected government.

In his address to the Cabinet, he said it would be his endeavour to bring political harmony in the country.

"I am confident that as a result of forthcoming elections a new political culture of tolerance, accommodation and responsibility will emerge replacing the culture of complete political polarisation and conflict as we witnessed in the past decade," he said.

Musharraf said there should be an end to political polarisation and politics of hatred.

"I believe that politicians have also realised that political polarisation and hatred will no longer be acceptable to people of Pakistan."

According to officials Musharraf would address the nation on October 9, a day ahead of general elections.

PTI