International   

Sustainable democracy: Musharraf

B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD: On the eve of the second phase of local bodies election, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has claimed that his country is moving forward on the path of "sustainable democracy," which has great significance for development of the country and the well-being of its people.

The Opposition parties have accused the Government of rigging the first phase on August 18, which covered over 50 per cent of the local bodies. They have threatened to launch a countrywide agitation and talked of possible en masse resignation from the National and provincial Assemblies in protest against the irregularities.

In a wide-ranging interaction with the Executive Council of Association of Asian Parliamentarians for Peace (AAPP) at Rawalpindi on Tuesday, Gen. Musharraf defended the local government system. He said it had empowered people politically, financially and administratively at the grassroots level

"I believe democracy is imperative for development and progress of the country and sustained socio-economic well-being of the people," he said reiterating his commitment to the democratic process. Gen. Musharraf said the elected Assemblies would complete their term and general elections would take place in 2007.

Gen. Musharraf renewed his call for settlement of long-standing Palestinian and Kashmir "disputes." Just and equitable resolution to these disputes will help bring durable peace and harmony to our turbulent world as their settlement will help efforts to curb extremism and terrorism.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Sustainable democracy: Musharraf
Protests in Sri Lanka against Sethu
Tracking crocs from space
Africa: stress on water, sanitation
Now Asian tuk-tuks for London roads
Of Arabs and tramps
Targeted guinea pig farm to close
Moog, inventor of synthesizer, dies
Spain gets first married priest
No to Indian animal show in Melbourne

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu