September 21, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 08, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Sept 20: Ambassador of the United States in Pakistan Anne Patterson on Thursday called on acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and discussed the prevailing political situation in Pakistan with particular reference to the forthcoming presidential and general elections in the country.

The meeting, which lasted for 45 minutes, was held at the residence of Mr Hashmi at Parliament Lodges.

Mr Hashmi told the US ambassador that his party believed that Gen Musharraf’s election in army uniform from the present assemblies would be an unconstitutional step and it would further deepen the political crisis in the country.

He said the opposition parties had decided to put a strong resistance to the election of Gen Musharraf as the country’s president for another term.

Mr Hashmi said Gen Musharraf’s dictatorship had weakened the foundations of democracy in the country. He said the relationship between the US and Pakistan could only be strengthened if there would be democracy in both the countries.

He said Pakistan could only become stable if there was democracy and rule of law.