He renewed his commitment while talking to an eight-member delegation of the European Union parliamentarians, which called on him at the army house here on Wednesday.
Gen Musharraf said, “We are gaining ground day by day against terrorists and extremists.” In this connection, he added, Pakistan had close cooperation with the US and the coalition forces.
He said the US was not only aware of Pakistan’s fight against terrorism but also very appreciative of its efforts and role in this regard. He made it clear that the policies and actions being pursued by Pakistan were based on principle and in country’s “supreme national interest”.
He said the democratic process was well underway in the country and the local, provincial and the federal governments were fully functional. Gen Musharraf said the assemblies were working and legislation was being carried out. “We are committed to democracy and are striving to give it stability, sustainability and permanence,” he said.
Gen Musharraf told the delegation that he fully realized that the offices of the president and the army chief should be separate. However, he assured the delegation that when the environment was conducive, a decision in this regard would be taken.—PPI
Our Reporter adds: Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro has underlined the need for greater interaction between the parliamentarians and expressed the hope that inter-parliamentary contacts will strengthen cooperation between different countries.
The Senate chairman was talking to the visiting European parliament delegation for South Asia and Saarc countries here on Wednesday.
The two sides exchanged views on the composition, role and working of the Senate in parliamentary set up of Pakistan.
Mr Soomro said the Senate was equally represented by all federating units and it created balance between the federation and the provinces.
He said strength of the Senate had been increased from 87 to 100, while 16 per cent seats had also been reserved for women in the Upper House of parliament. There are harmonious relations between the parties represented in the Senate, he added.
Referring to the powers and new role of the Senate, he said the money bill, that used to be placed before the Lower House only, was for the first time placed before the Senate this year.
The chairman also informed the delegation that formation of standing committees in the Senate was under process.
The leader of the European delegation, Carrilho Maria, said the purpose of the delegation’s visit to Pakistan was to understand and observe the working of parliamentary system.