WASHINGTON, Nov 11: Top Democratic senators have urged President George W. Bush to seek a “more effective” strategy for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Al Qaeda, following the “deeply disturbing” actions of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Gen Musharraf’s decision to suspend the constitution and declare emergency rule “raise very troubling questions not only about the (US) administration’s policy vis-à-vis Pakistan, but also its overall national security strategy,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his colleagues said on Friday in a signed letter.

Their criticism came as Bush on Saturday praised Gen Musharraf as a strong ally against terrorism and said he had no reason to doubt the Pakistani leader’s pledges to return his country to democratic rule.

Besides Gen Musharraf’s moves that have “derailed” Pakistan from the path of democracy, the senators listed his failure to deal with Al Qaeda -- which “has ‘regenerated’ and now rivals what it was before 9/11”-- despite 10 billion dollars in US aid.

Gen Musharraf’s “decision to use his police, military and intelligence services against his political opponents instead of against terrorists directly undermine the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda,” the Democrats said.

The letter was signed by Reid, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman Charles Schumer, and Majority Conference Secretary Patty Murray.—AFP