KARACHI: Uniform issue discussed with President: UK MP
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Dec 16: The issue of Gen Pervez Musharraf retaining army chief’s post, which is an impediment to Pakistan’s return to the fold of Commonwealth, came up for discussion when a delegation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, UK branch, called on him on Monday.
This was stated here on Tuesday by Mr Tom Cox, leader of the delegation, who favoured Pakistan’s immediate return to Commonwealth as a full member “because some very major progress has taken place on the road to democracy in Pakistan.”
He emphasized the need for resolving the Kashmir issue for sustainable peace in the region.
Speaking at a luncheon, hosted by Speaker of the Sindh Assembly Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Mr Cox expressed the view that last year’s elections were a clear example of democracy working here.
He said the very presence of his delegation was an indication of the desire that Pakistan should retain its full membership.
Replying to a question about impediments in this regard, Mr Cox said one of the difficulty was the President’s involvement with the military, but hoped this would be resolved. He said this issue was also discussed when the delegation met Gen Musharraf in Islamabad on Monday. He, however, did not spell out whether President gave any indication as to when was he going to give up the military uniform.
Mr Cox said that many countries, including Britain, wanted Pakistan’s return as a full member.
Asked whether his delegation had a chance to exchange views on various initiatives with regard to Kashmir and the attempt for a rapprochement between Pakistan and India, Mr Cox said Britain had good relations with both the countries who were now nuclear powers.
He was of the view that until the Kashmir issue was resolved, no matter what efforts were made towards normalization of relations, it would be a long, long difficult road to achieve the desired result. Nevertheless, he applauded efforts towards defusing tension and normalizing relations between Pakistan and India.
Some other members of the delegation were of the view that dialogue was the only way that could enable Pakistan to face challenges. They were generally satisfied with the frank discussion they had elsewhere.
Earlier, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah said that Pakistan’s relations with Britain were close and claimed that there was a functional democracy in Pakistan. Democracy is the best system because it leads to accountability, he added.
He also appreciated the ‘viable role’ the opposition and treasury benches had played in raising issues concerning people of Sindh.
Leader of the opposition Nisar Khuhro said that the system that the people of Pakistan had cherished remained a dream, “though we were making efforts to head that way, despite interruptions.”
Until that becomes a reality, the opposition would continue to make efforts, he said while welcoming the British parliamentarians.
Before lunch, the delegation called on the Speaker and exchanged views with him on the functioning of the Sindh Assembly.
The Speaker briefed the delegation about the historical significance of the assembly building and took them around.
