ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: President General Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday Pakistan enjoyed real democracy and efforts were under way for reconciliation and political harmony. He, however, made it clear that "it does not mean that minority should rule the majority".

Addressing the 15th dinner reception of Pakistani-American Public Affairs Committee, the president said the country enjoyed the essence of democracy with freedom of expression, speech and media and "now the government is addressing political disharmony".

"We are trying our best, but one thing ought to be clearly understood that there cannot be the rule of the minority. Democracy means the rule of majority, and the rule of majority has to prevail, the rule of minority cannot prevail.

"Therefore, while rapprochement and reconciliation are under way, it does not mean that minority should rule the majority," he told an eminent gathering that included members of the cabinet, parliamentarians, American ambassador to Pakistan and Pakistani-American physicians.

THE PRESIDENT SAID: "Pakistan today has real democracy as people, including women and minorities, have been empowered at the grassroots level and at the provincial and national tiers."

HE ADDED: "Another essence of democracy is freedom of speech and expression. Today nobody is put behind bars for their views or criticism in both print and electronic media - they are not targeted, they are not victimized."

He claimed that they enjoyed more independence in Pakistan than in some of the developed countries. In his 50-minute address, the president also spoke about peace process with India, Pakistan's economic performance, its fight against extremism, its role in the emancipation of the Muslim world and its poverty reduction strategy.

On Pakistan-India relations, he said: "Pakistan is prepared to show flexibility if India also shows reciprocity on resolving the lingering Jammu and Kashmir dispute. "We will be flexible, when the other side also shows flexibility. Both sides need to move back from their 'maximum list' positions on Kashmir; we need to meet somewhere midway."

The president declared that Pakistan had not moved back from its principled position on the longstanding dispute and emphasized that Islamabad "wants to address the Kashmir dispute with honour and dignity and in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people".

He said the two tracks, the confidence building measures and dispute resolution, should move in tandem. "We are hopeful that good sense will prevail and both sides will move towards a sustainable process of peace and economic development in the region."

The president told the gathering that Pakistan's strategic assets "are in safe hands" and fully protected. He dismissed suggestions to the contrary as absurd. "Our strategic assets are pride of the nation and are fully protected and there is no rollback at all." -APP