New Delhi, Nov.29: The new President of Pakistan after taking oath of office promised the country "come hell of high water, elections will be held".

Twisting his mouth derisively, he said any talk of a boycott should be ignored. Pervez Musharraf dressed in a black bandh gala suit was administered the oath of office in the Pakistan capital, Islamabad, this morning by Chief Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar.

Breaking with convention, the new President decided to address the august gathering.  Neither Benazir Bhutto nor Nawaz Sharif or his family members were present, but there was a large contingent of judges, several army officers and colourfully attired ladies, including First Lady Saheba Musharraf.

The President began saying that it was a "nostalgic day for him" as he had bid goodbye to his life in the army and was entering a new phase. But, he said he would continue to work closely with the army "to protect and honour the dignity of Pakistan".

He made several references to General Kiyani, who he said would lead the army "as well if not better" than him. He said he had "full faith and trust in General Kiyani."

Being very candid, he referred to the years after 1999 when he wore "two hats" as President and Army Chief, and said, "There was never a dull moment."   He went on to list his achievements and claimed that he extricated Pakistan "from a failed state to a thriving nation."

Even as he demitted office as Army Chief on Wednesday and took over as President today, not a trace of humility was visible in the man who has emerged as the only publicist for his tenure.

He said that his "noble intentions" of holding elections on schedule were "derailed" by a "conspiracy" by "elements in the judiciary".

After referring to the judiciary indirectly a few times, Musharraf gave up all pretence and said: "the ex-Chief Justice" was the reason why the country was heading towards "a state of chaos."  

Dropping his voice a few decibels he said, "extraordinary circumstances needed extraordinary measures." He almost sounded like an American President before ordering a strike in a foreign nation.

But, "it was a difficult choice," muttered President Musharraf. "I went against my wishes…I had to act and I did act in the interest of Pakistan."  
That was said probably just in case the domestic viewer watching on PTV thought that he had somebody or some other nation's interest in mind wile imposing emergency, thrashing lawyers, imprisoning politicians and crushing the media.

And then, he made the Freudian slip He said he wanted to give up his uniform on January 15th, but was prevented by "circumstances" and conspirators. Somebody corrected him and said not January but November. He corrected himself and without a trace of embarrassment said that "the most unfortunate part" of the whole "derailment process" was that he could not complete the third stage of his plan. That plan was to get Kiyani to take over on November 15 and Musharraf to take oath of office as President. Oh well ! it happened two weeks later, right so what's the big deal one might wonder.

But there is more. President Musharraf promised that he would take Pakistan on the path of "economic growth" with the support of General Kiyani. What an Army General has to do with economic growth and where do the Prime Minister and his/her cabinet fit into this scheme is anyone's guess.   "Come hell or high water, elections will be held."

He thundered that he would break the back of terrorism. And, there is more to come. As President he will address the nation on PTV tonight. More words, more promises. The General (retd) aint going nowhere. (ANI)