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| 07 October 2004 | Thursday | 21 Shaban 1425 |
Britain accused of double standard
ISLAMABAD, Oct 6: The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has strongly reacted to the statement of the visiting British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon on President Gen Pervez Musharraf's uniform and accused the British government of adopting a double standard on democracy.
Talking to Dawn on Wednesday, deputy information secretary of the ARD Munir Ahmed Khan said the alliance had been disappointed with Mr Hoon's statement that if Gen Musharraf decided to remain in uniform it would be an "understandable" act in the current difficult circumstances being faced by Pakistan.
Mr Khan said if Mr Hoon believed that the uniform was necessary for countering terrorism and it was not harmful for democracy, then why did he not call for implementing the same kind of democracy in his own country as the UK was also actively taking part in the ongoing war on terrorism.
He said Mr Hoon should realize the fact that the Pakistani nation was suffering only because of "Gen Musharraf's uniform."He said in Pakistan people did not have basic rights. Moreover, in the present military rule, unemployment and poverty were increasing with a rapid pace.
He said the law and order situation was worst in the country and life and property of the people were not safe. He said judiciary was not functioning independently and the Constitution had been partially suspended.
He said there was no democracy in the country as parliament was not sovereign and cabinet had no powers to make decisions. Besides, he said, a nominated National Security Council with representation of armed forces had been established to undermine the parliament.
Mr Khan said here in Pakistan they were trying to follow the British form of democracy and the visiting UK secretary was talking about "uniformed democracy."
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