London: Dismissing concerns about possible rigging of the February 18 general elections, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has insisted that the polls would be held in a "free, fair and peaceful" manner.

"I would ask anyone to give me how (the polls) can be rigged, and if anyone gives me any suggestion, I would be too glad to pass it onto the Chief Election Commissioner for implementation," Musharraf said addressing the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a British think tank, shortly after his arrival here yesterday on a three-day visit.

"The election will be free, fair, transparent and peaceful," Musharraf said, adding "whatever bugs remained in the system... Have been removed by me and my government."

Rejecting suggestions that US troops could be brought in Pakistan to root out al-Qaeda militants or guard the country's nuclear assets, he said his government's success in fighting terrorism was critical.

"We are in the forefront fighting terrorism and extremism, our success is critical. We have to win because if we lose I think it will have an impact on the region and the world, maybe in the streets of Europe.

"So therefore we have to be together and we have to reinforce each other, encourage each other, support each other, instead of criticising and insinuating," he said.

On the probe into the killing of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf said Pakistan was capable of carrying out a full investigation into her assassination on December 27.

He said the Scotland Yard assistance was sought into the investigation because "there may be some weaknesses in our forensic capabilities, in our technical capabilities".

Source : PTI