Dropping a strong hint that he may continue as both president of Pakistan and chief of the Pakistan Army despite his commitment to shed his uniform by the end of this year, General Pervez Musharraf today said that Pakistan cannot be put to "risk" for the sake of "some perceptions of a democracy which may be variant to our environment".

Referring to "concerns" of the western countries over restoration of democracy in Pakistan, Musharraf said, "When two thirds of our [Pakistan] Assembly have voted for me, why am I not an elected person allowed to be in uniform by the people of Pakistan."

Musharraf, who is currently touring Sweden, however, said that he would take a decision on quitting as army chief by the end of this year. "I will decide on this issue in the national interest," Musharraf said in an address to the Stockholm School of Economics.

But he cautioned that such a move was a risky proposition. "There is so much happening in Pakistan, domestically, regionally, and internationally, one cannot risk Pakistan for the sake of some perceptions of a democracy which may be variant to our environment. We will take the decision, [I] will cross the bridge when I reach it," he said in the address that was telecast by the Pakistan government-owned PTV.

Musharraf gave the commitment to quit as army chief as part of a quid pro quo deal to obtain the support of the Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e Amal to get his controversial constitutional amendments ratified by the Pakistani parliament.

More reports from Pakistan