No system can function sans checks, balances: Musharraf

KARACHI: Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf Thursday said during his stint as head of the state he wanted to have checks and balances as no system can function without such a mechanism.

Addressing a seminar titled ‘Youth Parliament’ at a local hotel, Pervez Musharraf said from day one he had resolved to safeguard Pakistan from internal and external threats.

He said there was no need for the constitution of National Security Council. “I only wanted to put in place checks and balances, because no government, president or prime minister can work without such a mechanism,” he added.

He said the mechanism of checks and balances vanished after the 18th amendment of the Constitution.

The former president said whatever happens in Pakistan it should be ensured that its system is not put in jeopardy.

He regretted that although people have no understanding of democracy and dictatorship, yet debates on these topics remain the order of the day.

Pervez Mushrraf said Pakistan is not a weak nation and it plays an important role in the international community, particularly, in the Muslim world.

He highlighted the significance of peace in south-east Asia. He said terrorism may be visible but extremism is an invisible threat.