We put country on development path: Musharraf

"We empowered people, women, minorities and the youth," says Musharraf in a national address today.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in a national address on Saturday said his country had been put on the path of development.

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"We empowered people, women, minorities and the youth," said Musharraf, who lifted the state of emergency in the country earlier in the day.

Talking about the emergency rule, Musharraf said visible and positive changes have been witnessed during the emergency period. The terrorism spreading in tribal areas has been contained, he said.

The third phase of democracy, which was derailed, is now back on track, Musharraf added. He also pledged that the general elections would be held on time and would be free and fair.

Musharraf proclaimed a state of emergency in Pakistan and proclaimed a provisional constitutional order (PCO) on Nov 3, while suspending the constitution and sacking then chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and several other Supreme Court judges.

Earlier on Saturday, he issued three presidential orders, lifting of the state of emergency, revoking the PCO and reviving the constitution.