Islamabad: Facing perhaps the biggest crisis since he took over nearly eight years ago, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said a conspiracy was being hatched against him on the issue of judiciary and vowed to defeat it.
He warned his detractors against playing politics on the reference against suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, saying it was a "purely judicial matter" and he had no personal differences with him.
"There are those who are doing politics and hatching conspiracies against me and the country on an issue which is legal and constitutional and is being taken up by the Supreme Judicial Council," he said, addressing a public gathering at Pakpattan district in Punjab province.
Musharraf said he had full faith and confidence in the nation and with its support would overcome the "intrigues" against him and the government.
Apparently rattled by the widespread protests by lawyers and political leaders, Gen Musharraf asked the people not to take to the streets and agitate, as it would hurt country's development and its image.
Stating that the Council's decision on the charges against Justice Chaudhury would be acceptable to him, the General called for the judicial process to take its course on the reference against the suspended judge.
Condemning Saturday's police action against GeoTV, he said the incident will be thoroughly investigated as an attempt had been made to "malign" him.
Gen Musharraf said he was a firm believer in the freedom of media and would continue to do so. He said he could not even think of curbing and curtailing its freedom.
Asserting that the government had "nothing to hide", he claimed the print and electronic media had been given "complete freedom". He urged the police and those agitating on the streets to exercise restraint.
Gen Musharraf said the reference was prepared by the government against the Chief Justice and he was bound under Constitution to refer it to the Supreme Judicial Council. Asserting that he only acted upon the advice of the government on the issue, the President regretted the impression created by the vested interests against him.
He said it was his legal and constitutional duty to take action on the reference filed by the government. He said those creating problems had malafide intentions and did not want the country to move forward and prosper.
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