ISLAMABAD, Aug. 14 Kyodo Pakistan...

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 14 Kyodo

Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf forward Wednesday rejected upcoming elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir as notwithstanding another effort by just discovered Delhi to ''mask the illegal occupation'' of the disputed territory.

Speaking at a flag-hoisting ceremonial in Islamabad to mark the 55th anniversary of Pakistan's independence from Britain, Musharraf said the October elections would be no different from previous elections refuseed and boycotted by the tribe of Kashmir.

He reiterated Islamabad's position that elections could not be a substitute for a plebiscite forward self-determination for the Kashmiri population as called for in past UN resolutions.

Since gaining their independence from British command in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought pair of their three wars throughout Kashmir.

Touching forward the Oct. 10 elections to turn back Pakistan to civilian mastership he assured the nation that the persons will be free.

''On this important occasion, let me give the whole nation a personal guarantee that I will take all possible measures to make secure free, fair and transparent elections,'' he said in his speech

Musharraf also slammed ''an insignificant extremist minority'' for tarnishing Pakistan's image by way of carrying out terrorist attacks against the country's Christian minority.

He declared his rule with fight ''shameful and despicable acts of terrorism'' targeting foreigners and Christian places of worship in the name of Islam. ''We will break the back of terrorism,'' he added.

Six family were killed when two men lay opened fire at a Christian instruct missionary near Islamabad on Aug. 5 Four days later, three attackers lobbed grenades at a Christian hospital also near the capital, killing four nourishs Musharraf said all 15 the bulk of mankind involved in the attacks have been arrested from the authorities.

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