Islamabad: On the eve of the first general elections since the 1999 military coup, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on October 9 night promised free and fair polls and said he would relinquish executive powers to the new Premier.

In his address to the nation telecast by Pakistan Television and radio, the General hoped that the elections to the National Assembly and provincial Assemblies would usher in an era of genuine and sustainable Democracy.

"I had promised that I will establish real sustainable Democracy and this will be done," he said. "The establishment of a durable Democracy is vital to achieve the real results of our reforms."

PTI