Musharraf sees bigger role for army, ‘why be so shy?’

In his first interview after the referendum, the President talked about Pakistan’s internal situation and its role in the geo-political game. Musharraf said he wanted to eliminate extremism from the country with an iron hand. ‘‘There are people who don’t agree with what I am doing. I tread on many people’s toes, especially when I take action against extremists. No religious party has ever got more than five per cent of the votes,’’ he said.

‘‘Pakistan is an Islamic republic, the majority is religious, not fanatical. Most have had enough of the extremists acts of violence,’’ he said.

Asked that despite a ban on five religious groups, most of the leaders had since been released, Musharraf said only those were set free against whom there was no evidence.

In the Daniel Pearl murder case, he said, ‘‘all the involved people are behind bars. If there is different information in the West, that is simply wrong. I want to eliminate this extremism at any cost.’’

About his referendum, the General said, ‘‘I thought the people were sovereign. I think if someone goes to the people and asks them their opinion, it is the highest form of democracy.’’ About talk of manipulation, he said: ‘‘I’m not even saying that there were no irregularities. But why are only those on my side being talked about?’’