In an extensive interaction with media on Wednesday, being the eve of seventh anniversary of military take-over, he said in his view Pakistan is confronted with a critical time, because "centrifugal forces are trying to rise, with outside support. On allegations that he secured the victory for MMA he said, "I am a moderate fellow".
In his hundred and forty minutes meeting with the media men from all over the country, the President promised fair and transparent elections. He welcomed participation of all except "the two individuals", pointing towards exiled prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
In his opening remarks and later during question-answer session, he touched upon most of the current national and international issues of interest to the people of Pakistan.
In reply to a question, Musharraf said if he were to name a programme where hundred percent success was achieved by his government during the last seven years the economy stands at the top because "I gave it a successful turnaround". He was conscious that its fruits were yet to reach the masses but was confident that it would.
The President promised more provincial autonomy to the provinces, adding should the chief ministers ask he would improve upon the Finance Award.
"Yes", was his prompt reply to a question if secret talks on Kashmir are taking place with India. "We want to move forward on Kashmir but it can be done only by stepping a bit backward, although it may appear to be a compromise. Mutual stepping back is the only way to finding a solution to the issue," he added.
Musharraf downplayed the importance of secretary-level talks with India, saying so much has already been talked between them and added given the will the issues of Siachin and Sir Creek can be resolved in one day.
He stoutly defended military action in Balochistan, saying: "I will not allow the writ of government to be challenged at any cost". But he indicated reopening of dialogue with Baloch nationalists in near future, adding if in the interest of country he would be ready to offer his apology over what happened in Balochistan.
The President stoutly defended the peace agreement in Fata, saying while five years back military action was warranted to fight al Qaeda, now the government is dealing with local Taliban.
He ruled out taking any action in Waziristan under the pressure of any "three or four star general", adding Nato commander General Richards who was here the other day totally agreed with his analysis.
Musharraf said he was lucky that his maiden effort at authorship succeeded; "May be there is some jealousy". He justified writing In the Line of Fire: "why not now. You would be stupid not to write when you are at the peak and I am not a stupid person". He said no state secret has been revealed, as he checked his all of his writings with the Attorney General.
He claimed that through this book he succeeded in bringing the world to his point of view on terrorism; established that nuclear proliferation was the act of an individual (Dr Qadeer) and the army and government were never involved; and Pakistan is moving towards real democracy. Musharraf described the Kargil episode as the most misunderstood and said his book helped place the facts in proper perspective.
The President said In the Line of Fire was not a money-making venture- he got only 160,000 dollars but no royalty as yet and announced setting up a trust fund with this money.
In answer to a question, he brushed aside General Aslam Beg's assertion that revelation that at the time of Kargil conflict Pakistan's nuclear capability was not operational, saying that was not a disclosure. By then Pakistan had not conducted any cold test, nor nuclear weapon was inducted into the army.
Asked who was the target of rockets recently uncovered in Islamabad, the President said, "I am not that easy a target. We have unearthed the whole gang of culprits who are extremists. They want to dominate the moderates but we have to win this battle."
Answering a question, Musharraf said he saw no Pakistan link whatsoever with North Korea's nuclear test and said, "Theirs is a plutonium-based whereas ours is uranium-based".