Islamabad, Nov 16: President Pervez Musharraf has said that he has thwarted efforts to derail the democratic process by proclaiming an emergency, and added that the general elections would be transparent.

He said that some elements in the judiciary paralysed the functioning of the government by causing chaos and uncertainty, and forced him to take a difficult decision.

"We had to settle a conflict between the pillars of the state and bring harmony among them to combat extremism, " Musharraf told a gathering of students, teachers, lawyers and businessmen at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

He said had he been listening to foreign dictates, he would not have taken the decision to proclaim the emergency.

Musharraf said he would take the oath of presidential office as a civilian after the Election Commission (EC) issues a notification on the presidential poll result.

Commenting on judiciary’s independence, he said that it should remain de-politicised, as it is an important pillar of the state.

Musharraf said that the lawyers were the custodians of justice, adding that there were some elements among them were disturbing the law and order.

The Daily Times quoted Musharraf as terming the completion of the National Assembly’s tenure historic. (ANI)