Islamabad, Nov 14: Defending his decision to impose emergency in Pakistan, President General Pervez Musharraf has said that emergency was declared to ensure elections go in an “undisturbed manner. ”

He categorically rejected an appeal by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to lift the emergency rule, saying, “I totally disagree with her. ” He added that Pakistan was suffering from a “disturbed terrorist environment. ”

Musharraf told the New York Times in an interview here that the decree was justified as the Supreme Court had questioned the validity of his re-election, and because of the seriousness of threats from terrorists.

Commenting on the popular view about the emergency rule, Musharraf said, “People’s view is why have I done it so late… Ninety percent of human rights activists may have never cast their votes. They sleep on the day of elections. ”

On being asked when would he shed his uniform, Musharraf refused to give an exact date and said: “It will happen soon. ” (ANI)