WASHINGTON, Jan 10: US Senate majority leader Harry Reid sent a letter to President Bush on Thursday, urging him to make “very clear” to President Musharraf that he can’t continue to receive high levels of aid unless he restores democracy and allows a UN-led inquiry into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

The letter, which strongly criticises the Bush administration’s Pakistan policy, urges Mr Bush to use his influence to persuade Islamabad to take the following steps:

— Restore freedom of the press and full freedom of association;

— Free all political prisoners jailed during the recent crackdown;

— Reinstate the chief justice of the Supreme Court and the other dismissed justices;

— Request, and fully support, an independent UN inquiry into Ms Bhutto’s assassination, similar to that established to examine the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri, and;

— Allow independent international election monitors to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Senator Reid claims that during the last six year Pakistan made little tangible progress towards reducing terrorism and extremism, expanding development assistance in key regions of the country, and enhancing the commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

“The record is so disturbing and the implications for our security so great that I believe additional pressure on President Musharraf to take the right steps is warranted,” he wrote.

“I also believe his failure to do so should be met with real and significant consequences, including consideration of a cut-off of non-development funding.”

Asked to comment on the letter, State Department’s deputy spokesman Tom Casey said he has not seen the letter but defended Pakistan’s record in the war against terror.

“We’re going to continue … to work with them as they seek to confront Taliban- and Al Qaeda-supported individuals on Pakistani territory,” he said.

Mr Casey also noted that Pakistan has recently taken certain measures to promote democracy. “We’re pleased to see that there has been an election date scheduled.

And, again, we’re going to continue to work with all the parties there to try and help them as they move forward.”