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Return to democracy, world urges Pakistan

— PHOTO: AFP

CLAMPDOWN: Javed Hashmi, the acting chief of Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (N) makes a victory sign after his arrest by the police in Multan on Sunday.

PARIS: World leaders on Sunday urged a swift return to democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan after President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule in the country a day earlier, although some allies stopped short of outright condemnation.

The United States, which has cast Gen. Musharraf as a key ally in its global fight against terrorism, said it was deeply disturbed by the moves. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking in Jerusalem at the start of two days of meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, said she has not spoken to Gen. Musharraf since he imposed the state of emergency.

“I just want to repeat that the United States does not support, and indicated to the Pakistani leadership prior to this action, that it would not support, extra-constitutional means,” she said.

“The issue now is it’s in the best interest of Pakistan and the best interest of the Pakistani people for there to be a prompt return to the constitutional force, for there to be affirmation that elections will be held for a new Parliament,” she said.

Gen. Musharraf’s move was seen as a battle lost by the Bush administration, which has tried to halt any move toward authoritarianism in Pakistan.

The European Union urged the Pakistani leader to hold parliamentary elections early next year. E.U. foreign policy chief Javier Solana urged Gen. Musharraf “to abide by the rule of law, notably to respect the boundaries of the Constitution.” “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,” British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement.

The Commonwealth, the 53-member grouping of Britain and former British colonies, also condemned Gen. Musharraf’s decision, calling it “a matter of deep concern.”

China, one of Pakistan’s closest allies and a major source of investment, trade, and armaments, signalled its preference for behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

“We believe the Pakistani government and people have the ability to solve its own problem,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement.

But he added, “We hope Pakistan maintains stability and development.” — AP

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