February 21, 2002	Thursday	Zilhaj 8, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 20: The cabinet on Wednesday discussed electoral reforms and a proposal to increase gas prices but did not take any decision due to divergent views.

Talking to Dawn, sources quoted President Gen Pervez Musharraf as having told the cabinet that new electoral reforms were necessary to strengthen democratic institutions.

The president said he had been discussing political issues with politicians with a view to restoring a lasting democracy and the rule of law.

The cabinet is expected to take up the two issues at its next meeting.

Sources said the meeting had also discussed the condition of graduation set for those aspiring to contest the election for the National Assembly. Some of the cabinet members wanted to get the condition relaxed. However, since the PPP has moved the court against the condition, the matter was left undecided.

Briefing the meeting about his visit to the United States, the president said the Bush administration had agreed to write off $1 billion in bilateral debt and would provide substantial fiscal support in different areas.

He emphasized that the revival of the defence consultative group would help institutionalize cooperation in military exchanges and training and procurement of defence equipment from the United States. On the diplomatic front, explained the president, Pakistan’s point of view was now better understood which would be translated into strong support for the country’s principled position on various issues.

He said it was a matter of satisfaction that in the United States today Pakistan was being increasingly perceived as a country steadily moving towards progress, economic and political stability, moderation and democracy. This change in perception, he pointed out, was noticeable as much in the US administration as in the Congress, the Senate, the media and the American people.

The president briefed the cabinet on interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai’s recent visit to Pakistan, which, he said, represented a milestone in Islamabad-Kabul relations.

Gen Musharraf also informed the cabinet about his visit to Japan next month. He said he was looking forward to his interaction with the Japanese leaders and expressed the confidence that the cooperation between the two countries would be strengthened as a result of his visit.

The cabinet ratified an agreement between Pakistan and Lebanon to develop and strengthen commercial relations on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.