Islamabad, Oct 29: Claiming that the US appreciated Islamabad's efforts to crackdown on militants, President Pervez Musharraf has told European Union parliamentarians that Pakistan's security forces have gained upper hand over terrorists, even as major opposition party PPP apprised the delegation of his authoritarian regime. "We are gaining ground day by day against terrorists and extremists," an official press release quoted him as saying.
Claiming that Pakistan has close cooperation with the coalition forces, he said US was aware and appreciative of Islamabad's efforts and role against terrorism.
The EU delegation was led by Maria Carrilho of Portugal and its members included John Cushnahan, who headed the EU observers team of last year's general elections. Cushnahan had dismissed the elections as "flawed", due to series of constitutional amendments promulgated by Musharraf ahead of the polls debarring the former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Shairf from taking part in the polls on the grounds that they were involved in corruption.
Musharraf also defended the "democratic credentials" of the government led by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, saying the country underwent transition to democracy from military rule from last year's polls.
Bureau Report