Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said yesterday he had ordered a "shoot-at-sight" order to security forces to cope with possible untoward situations during the forthcoming general elections, the News Network International news agency reported.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a flyover at the southern port city of Karachi, Musharraf said, "Any one who will create trouble, I have ordered the army and Rangers (paramilitary forces),that we will shoot any one who will do anything of this sort."

Army and rangers would be deployed in elections, Musharraf said, adding that he had asked the law enforcement agencies to ensure peaceful elections on Feb. 18.

"Elections are to be held. There would be a new government after elections. We call the process free, fair and transparent elections. But I have added the word peaceful for elections," Musharraf said.

Addressing members of Sindh caretaker cabinet in Karachi, Musharraf ruled out the formation of national government. He said the caretaker governments would facilitate to hold the parliamentary elections.

Musharraf said the government would cope with the menace of terrorism and extremism in an effective manner.

The general elections should have been held on Jan. 8 accordingto a schedule unveiled by election commission. However, some election offices were burnt in southern Sindh province in riots following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Dec. 27 last year.

The Election Commission announced at the beginning of January that the polling date should be postponed to Feb. 18.