Washington/London, Nov 03: The United States and
Britain on Saturday denounced imposition of emergency in Pakistan
saying this is not only a "sharp setback" for democracy but
also took the country off the path towards stability and
civilian rule.
"The United States is deeply disturbed by reports that
Pakistani President Musharraf has taken extra-constitutional
actions and has imposed a state of emergency", State
Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.
He said "a state of emergency would be a sharp setback
for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward
civilian rule".
" President Musharraf has stated repeatedly that he will
step down as Chief of Army Staff before re-taking the
presidential oath of office and has promised to hold elections
by January 15th. We expect him to uphold these commitments
and urge him to do so immediately", McCormack said.
"The United States stand with the people of Pakistan in
supporting a democratic process and in countering violent
extremism. We urge all parties to work together to complete
the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence
or delay", the spokesman said.
In London, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband
expressed grave concern over declaration of a state of
emergency saying the country's future depended on ensuring
the rule of law.
"I am gravely concerned by the measures adopted today,
which will take Pakistan further from these goals", he said
in a statement.
'We recognize the threat to peace and security faced
by the country but its future rests on harnessing the power
of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of
stability, development and countering terrorism,'' Miliband
said.
He said he would raise his concerns with the Pakistani
Foreign Minister and encouraged all parties in the South Asian
country to show restraint.
"All friends of Pakistan will be concerned by the
turn of events today,'' Miliband said.
Pakistani political parties have also condemned the imposition of emergency.
Nawaz Sharif has said that it is quite clear that Musharraf is trying to perpetuate his personal rule and called for all political parties to join in the fight. He termed the current crisis as the gravest situation in the 60 years of Paksitan history. He has also said that he would try to get back to Pakistan again. He said that the country is heading towards ‘chaos’ as he had never seen something like this in his entire political career.
Imran Khan the leader of the Tehrik e Insaaf party has said that Musharraf stands accused of treason for going against the verdict of the Supreme Court. He has also said that any political party that supports Musharraf now runs the risk of isolating itself.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, November 03, 2007, 00:00