ISLAMABAD, April 29: The Pakistan People’s Party has welcomed the European Union’s decision to raise question over the referendum and delay cooperation pact with Pakistan till October polls.

According to press reports, members of the European Parliament declined to approve the EU-Pakistan accord after several members voiced skepticism over the legality of the April 30 referendum. Without approval of the Parliament, EU agreements with foreign nations cannot be implemented.

John Cushnah, an Irish MP and the parliamentary rapporteur on Pakistan, asked for a delay in approving the pact because of Gen Musharraf’s move to call a referendum which he said was “wholly inappropriate and in conflict with the Pakistan Constitution”.

In a statement on Sunday, a party spokesman said the response of the EU to the “fraudulent referendum” had exposed the regime.