Democracy restored: Musharraf

Published August 11, 2004

ISLAMABAD, Aug 10: President General Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday with the full restoration of democracy in Pakistan all democratic institutions were functioning according to the Constitution.

Talking to a three-member Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation, currently visiting Pakistan, he said that democratic systems in different countries 'evolve in line with' the unique socio-political dynamics prevailing in those countries.

Judgments on any democratic system should be made after understanding the circumstances of a society, he said. President Musharraf said that such exchanges contributed greatly towards promoting better understanding and strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The delegation led by its acting Chairman, Hashim Abdul Halim, comprised Denis Marshall, secretary-general and a senior official representing the association. The delegation was accompanied by Senate Chairman Mohammadmian Soomro and Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Mohammad Raza Hayat Hiraj.

Mr Halim said that the CPA was looking forward to Pakistan's participation in the forthcoming Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference to be held in Canada from Sept 1 to 9.

He said that the CPA had arranged seminars for parliamentarians on issues such as HIV/Aids and World Trade Organization. Mr Halim outlined a number of other activities of the CPA in which he looked forward to Pakistan's active participation. -APP