Notwithstanding Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf ruling out quitting as Army chief, the United States has said it expects him to follow through his commitments of putting aside his uniform if he wants to continue in political life.
Notwithstanding Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf ruling out quitting as Army chief, the United States has said it expects him to follow through his commitments of putting aside his uniform if he wants to continue in political life.
Asked whether Washington was reconsidering economic and moral support to Mr Musharraf in view of his reluctance to take off the uniform and his steps against the chief justice and media, US State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack said on Monday that American assistance to Pakistan is in “our national interest”.
“A more stable, more democratic, more prosperous Pakistan is in our interest, it’s in the interest of Pakistan people, it’s in the interest of the region,” he added.
So far as the coming parliamentary elections are concerned, he said they should be free, fair and transparent and meet international standards.
Media restrictions
Responding to other questions about Mr Musharraf imposing restrictions on the media and then withdrawing them, Mr McCormack said free press is essential to any functioning democracy.
“It may at times cause heartburns for various governments. I’ve experienced that in some cases myself. But it is an essential part of a strong, healthy, functioning democracy,” he said.
Ruling out the possibility of quitting as the Army Chief, Mr Musharraf had recently said he would seek his re-election in uniform.
So the removal of restriction is a “positive step” that President Musharraf and his government has taken, he said, adding that some of the demonstrations surrounding the charging of Supreme Court Justice Chaudhry are going to be moving their way through the judicial system.
“That’s positive — that case should be resolved within the confines of the Pakistani constitution and their legal norms and the media should be free to cover it,” he added.
Asked whether Richard Boucher intends to mediate when he goes to Islamabad, Mr McCormack said, “The Pakistani people are more than capable enough of resolving any political differences they may have. They don’t need our help.”
