Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » News » PTI
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Pakistan polls: US happy with new date
Related Articles
I had no option but to delay polls: Musharraf

Coverage: Benazir Bhutto assassinated

Get news updates:What's this?
Advertisement
January 03, 2008 09:23 IST

The US has welcomed the fresh 'firm' date set by Pakistan government to hold general elections in the Muslim nation that were postponed due to worsening law and order situation created by former premier Benazir Bhutto's [Images] assassination.

"We are pleased the Pakistani electoral commission has scheduled February 18 as the date, a firm date. That is terribly important in the current circumstances when so much political turbulence is going on within its political system," State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said.

Now, the challenge for Islamabad is to conduct a 'free, fair and transparent poll by ensuring that independent media is able to operate, allowing those who want to peacefully participate in the political process to do so and by lifting the restrictions on political parties,' he said.

Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the situation in Pakistan is unstable following the murder of Benazir Bhutto, but it has not led to a renewed state of emergency in the Muslim nation.

"We have not heard anyone talking about a renewed state of emergency in Pakistan. And I think that it remains a dangerous situation when you have people who are willing to blow themselves up to advance a political cause. And no wonder it creates instability," Perino said.

The US will continue to co-operate with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, she said.

"While they need to focus on their elections, to make sure that they remain free and fair and that the violence remains tamped down, they also have to keep in mind that we have a terrorist threat to deal with collectively.


© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback