(1 Nov 1999) Urdu/Nat Pakistan's coup leader has outlined the policies of his military regime, announcing the formation of an accountability bureau. Military chief Pervaiz Musharraf also guaranteed media freedoms, vowed to rejuvenate the country's ailing economy and promised the devolution of power. Pakistan's military ruler on Monday gave his first news conference since he ousted the elected government on October 12. The key word of his speech proved to be accountability. Saying that accountability was the demand of everyone, General Pervaiz Musharraf announced the formation of a National Accountability Bureau to begin examining records. Musharraf has accused deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of relentless corruption, destroying institutions and undermining the constitution. And he told reporters that the accountability process would be across the board and would start from the top. However, he stressed that Sharif would get a fair trial. The general also promised stability, continuity of policies and clean government in his bid to revive the country's ailing economy. SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) "The economy is in total collapse, the economy is ruined to the point where we are running around asking for help. Our pride, honour and dignity has fallen and this needs to be corrected immediately." SUPER CAPTION: General Pervaiz Musharraf - Pakistan's military ruler He added that very soon, a team of financial experts would announce the economic policies, but did not elaborate. Opposition parties have been pressing for speedy action against Sharif and his close aides, who are under the army's detention. They complain that the Musharraf regime is moving too slowly - but the General asked his critics to be patient. Most Pakistanis, frustrated by years of political instability, rampant corruption and a surge in political and religious violence, have welcomed the removal of Sharif's government. The public has made few demands on the military regime to hold elections, despite international pressure to restore democracy. Musharraf said he wanted to make people "the master of their own destiny" by returning power to the district level. SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) "Secondly provincial disharmony in inequity they are not in line with each other. The smaller provinces are particularly disappointing. There is a fixture around the provinces and there are cracks in the federation, this must be removed." SUPER CAPTION: General Pervaiz Musharraf - Pakistan's military ruler He added that a think-tank of experts would decide the steps needed for reforms. Musharraf, a commando and a veteran of two wars, has the reputation of a man who finishes the job. In providing his reasons for the military takeover, Musharraf said there was political interference in every institution, with Sharif even wanting to divide and destabilise the army, SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) " The last and third item other than the other points I have made. The governmental departments have been ruined all of them. I can't pinpoint any governmental department that is running well. The army was the only institution left untouched. There was too much political interference, politicisation and because of this there was not one institution running effectively and efficiently. These are the three areas which I think are of immediate concern which I would say were working against the federation." SUPER CAPTION: General Pervaiz Musharraf - Pakistan's military ruler He also promised complete media freedom, saying he had nothing to hide and stressing there were "no skeletons in the cupboard". Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/eb6fcc3c8df0d52772d3c523dd40d7d2

• published: 23 Jul 2015
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