ISLAMABAD, May 22: In a clear message to the government, the visiting Italian Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Mr Massimo D’Alema on Tuesday expressed the hope that the rule of law and civil rights would be safeguarded in Pakistan to ensure free and fair elections.

“We hope that Pakistani authorities will safeguard the law and order situation as well as peaceful exercise of civil rights to ensure a peaceful and orderly political process. Respect for the rule of law is a pre-condition for free and fair election to be held later in the year,” the Italian deputy prime minister said at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri here. He said that stability in Pakistan was also an important factor for the entire region.

Even in the context of Pakistan-EU relations, Mr D’ Alema emphasised the need for a “stable and democratic” Pakistan and declared: “We are interested in consolidation of democracy and political forces in Pakistan.”

Mr Kasuri at this point intervened to say: “As far as elections are concerned, we have told the international community that we would welcome foreign observers.”

They agreed to enhance cooperation in diverse areas, including trade and commerce, defence, higher education, energy, agriculture, and information technology.

The Italian minister also called on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.