Saturday, January 1 2005 21:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Promising to hold general elections in 2007, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today (Jan 1, 2005) said he has decided to retain the offices of the President and Army Chief in the interest of continuation of internal and external policies initiated by him.

Claiming that his Government introduced real democracy in the country, Musharraf told a public meeting in Gujarat town in Pakistan's Punjab province that he asked the Opposition parties agitating against his decision yesterday to continue in uniform to accept "the rule of the majority".

The President asked the Opposition to accept the rule of the majority and wait for 2007 general elections, official APP news agency quoted him as saying.

Musharraf's Presidency and the term of the Parliament will come to an end in 2007.

Elections for the local bodies would be held this year, Musharraf said, adding instead of coming on roads, the Opposition should take part in the local body polls.