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We’re keen on early elections: Kasuri

Islamabad: Amid increasing international and domestic pressure, Pakistan on Wednesday informed Britain and Germany that was it keen to hold early elections despite the imposition of emergency as this was in the best interests of the country.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri conveyed the message to his British and German counterparts, David Miliband and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Commonwealth Secretary-General Donald McKinnon when they telephoned him.

“The government’s commitment to holding free and fair elections remained unchanged,” Mr. Kasuri was quoted as saying by the state-run APP agency.

The leaders sought Mr. Kasuri’s input on the situation.

President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to impose emergency on November 3 has been widely condemned by the world community, which has asked him to give up his military uniform and to hold elections as scheduled by mid-January.

Pakistan dismissed “excessive” foreign criticism of the state of emergency, calling on the international community to show understanding.

“We reject a few of the unwarranted criticism and excessive reactions that clearly betray a lack of understanding of the challenging circumstances faced by the country,” said the Foreign Ministry said in a statement

Gen. Musharraf, who grabbed power in a 1999 coup, cited a wave of attacks by militants linked to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban this year, and “interference” by the judiciary as reasons for imposing emergency rule.

After emergency rule was declared, the constitution was suspended and police arrested thousands of opposition lawyers, politicians, civil society workers and activists. The Foreign Ministry’s statement was its second this week. On Tuesday, it rejected international criticism, calling Gen. Musharraf’s action an “internal matter.”

The exiled former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, urged the West on Wednesday to abandon Gen. Musharraf.

Mr. Sharif told The Associated Press that Pakistan was heading deeper into chaos and his archenemy had outlived his usefulness in fighting terrorism.

Mr. Sharif also ruled out teaming up with Benazir Bhutto, another key opposition leader, unless she cut off talks with Gen. Musharraf.

“One man is holding the entire nation hostage for his personal interests,” said Mr. Sharif, referring to the U.S.-allied military leader.

“The political forces, the lawyers and civil community that believe in moderation and democracy, they are sidelined today. Who is going to get the benefit? It will be the radicals and extremists, they will thrive now,” he said in a telephone interview from Saudi Arabia, where he was deported in September after attempting to return to Pakistan. “Mr. Musharraf is a man who has outlived his utility in terms of fighting any battle against terror.” Mr. Sharif’s government was ousted by Gen. Musharraf in a 1999 coup. — Agencies

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