Islamabad: After taking oath as civilian President Pervez Musharraf has come out with his own views on democracy and politics.

In his first speech as civilian President, Musharraf said that the judiciary has derailed the democratic process in the country.

"We want democracy but in our own way and following of Western pattern of democratic principles is unwarranted", he said. He also added that the process of derailment has been checked after emergency.

He also welcomed the return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif as a good political reconciliation.

Earlier, he was sworn in as civilian President for a second term on today in Islamabad. He is likely to address the nation today.

On Wednesday he doffed his uniform in a formal ceremony that took place in Rawalpindi. Former ISI chief and his trusted deputy Ashfaq Kayani took over as new Army Chief.

Musharraf was sworn in for a second five-year term at the Aiwan-e-Sadr or presidency here by Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.

In 2001 he became President for the first time while holding the post of the Army Chief. He had at that removed Rafiq Tarar from the top post. The military ruler last month appointed Kiyani, a former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, as vice chief of the army.

 

Source : Agencies