ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday gave the example of how India had stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar to "eliminate Sant Bhindranwale" to emphasise that he would not allow the writ of the Government to be challenged in Balochistan or elsewhere in Pakistan.

General Musharraf also promised "free and fair" elections in 2007, but said Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif would not be allowed to participate in them.

"India stormed the Golden Temple to finish Bhindranwale. More than 400 people were killed. That's what countries do," he said.

Gen. Musharraf said he would not allow anyone to challenge the writ of the Government in Pakistan.

"I will never allow it. The writ of the Pakistan Government will never be challenged. Let that be a warning," he said.

However, Pakistan would do "everything" for Balochistan, and would continue the development work it had begun there, including the Gwadar port, highways, rail links and several "mini-projects" too.

The Government would impart technical training to students and give them scholarships, internships and jobs.

Gen. Musharraf said he was also "100 per cent in favour of provincial autonomy."

"But if anyone challenges the writ of the Government, I will crush it," he said.

He alleged "a foreign hand" was supplying "weapons and money" in Balochistan. Without directly referring to the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti, he said the situation in the province was much better now.

"When you catch hold of the centre of gravity, everything else quietens down. That is my military training," he said.

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