'Pakistanis Know I Can Be Tough’

You've seen Benazir's document?
Should you believe that? That's the question. It's always the opposition who is talking of unfair [elections]. Why do they do that? When you lose you're going to [say] that the polls were rigged.

In the past, has there been any manipulation of elections? Is there a history here?
I would like to talk of 2002 because this election was fair. Although I know nobody believes it. It was fair. If we were manipulating [ballots], would we have manipulated them in such a stupid way that we elected a parliament where we couldn't form a government?  Am I that stupid? No sir. There was no arrangement with anybody.

Do you know that your personal credibility is on the line with this election?
Yes. But at the same time the media is saying that I am going to rig the polls. What kind of logic is this? Why should I do this? Whoever says this, I would like to say, prove that I am going to rig it.

What did you think of Benazir's document?
She sat in a drawing room making this document. I would like to make a document against her and give it to someone. This is just not proof.

Who is your preferred prime minister?
I can't say, I'm not going to say that at all.

But you must have some preference.
No.

But are you willing to accept a kind of diminished role as part of a troika?
My constitutional powers have been the same since 2002. But what I am fortunate to have is my influence over everyone, over the political leaders, over the coalition. My influence is not [the result of] constitutional powers I have. If somebody listens to what I am saying, don't grudge me that. I am not using any force.

© 2008