"Never before so few have plundered so many," Gen Musharraf said at his first news conference since he ousted the elected government of premier Nawaz Sharif on October 12. "Accountability is the demand of everyone...And we want to do it quickly," he said, announcing the formation of a national accountability bureau to begin examining records.

Musharraf, who overthrew the government in a bloodless coup earlier this month, has accused Sharif of relentless corruption, destroying institutions and undermining the constitution. "The accountability process will be across the board and will start from the top...Special speedy courts will decide the cases," he said.

Opposition parties have been pressing for speedy action againstSharif and his close aides, who are under the army's detention. They complained that the military regime was moving too slowly.

But Musharraf asked his critics to be patient. "Just bear with us and we will do the job," he said.

Musharraf said he wanted to make people "the master of their own destiny" by returning power to the district level. "Those who were sitting in the parliament were not representing the people. It was a label of democracy. We will come with a system that suits our environment," he said, adding that a think-tank of experts will decide the steps needed for reforms.

Musharraf, who has suspended the parliament and the constitution, has brushed aside criticism from western countries over the coup. Musharraf promised stability, continuity of policies and clean government in his bid to revive the country's ailing economy.