February 22, 2006	Wednesday	Muharram 23, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: People’s Party Parliamentarians President Makhdoom Amin Fahim has urged the Commonwealth to play its effective role for restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

Welcoming the recent visit of Commonwealth secretary general Donald McKinnon to Pakistan, he hoped that the forum would use its influence to ensure a transition to democracy in the country.

In a letter addressed to Mr McKinnon, he said, “The people of Pakistan are looking towards the Commonwealth to help the country overcome the domestic crisis by electing a truly representative government though elections in which all persons and all parties are free to contest.

“We seek the establishment of an interim government, an independent election commission whose members including the chief election commissioner are appointed in consultation with the major political parties and are non partisan, impartial and persons of integrity.”

He said the people of Pakistan deserved better than a military dictatorship that violated basic human rights. “While the world community accepts Gen Musharraf as a true ally who believes in enlightened moderation, this is not the view of the people of Pakistan. For us he is a military dictator who has trampled upon the constitution and has allowed extremist groups to flourish while making religious parties coalition partners to blackmail the world community with the threat that he stands between them and the deluge.”

Unless the frustrations of the people are dealt with, unless there is democracy, justice, human rights, respect for women and minorities, the internal situation in Pakistan can only worsen and bring with it many repercussions, he warned.

He said the rigging of the 2002 elections had disempowered the people. To crush the representatives of the people, the military regime pursues political vendetta through the so-called National Accountability Bureau.