WASHINGTON, June 4: Representatives of various Pakistani political groups and human rights organisations protested outside the White House on Sunday evening, urging the Bush administration to support democratic forces in Pakistan.

Speakers reminded President Bush of his pledge to support democracy in the Islamic world.

Pakistan, they said, already had a developed political infrastructure but it needs support from Democratic forces across the world to convince the military to return to barracks.

Representatives of the Pakistan People’s Party and PML-N also urged the Bush administration to use their influence to enable former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif to return home and participate in the forthcoming elections.

Other speakers asked President Bush to advise President Pervez Musharraf to quit the military and run as a civilian candidate if he wants yet another term.

Some speakers criticised the MQM for its role in the Karachi killings, charging that the party was linked to the Musharraf regime and enjoyed its patronage.

The Karachi murders and lawlessness had exposed the real culprits and their patrons, they claimed.