CW wants general elections are held in 2007: Don McKinnon

ISLAMABAD: Secretary General Commonwealth, Don McKinnon has said holding of elections in 2008 is internal matter of Pakistan adding Commonwealth however wants elections are held in 2007.

He said this during his meeting with the ARD leadership including Amin Fahim, Raja Zafar ul Haq, Tehmina Daultana, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Anwar Beg here Saturday.

ARD leaders made CW secretary general cognizant about opposition efforts for restoration of democratic order and democratic institutions in Pakistan and their stance on upcoming general elections.

The CW secretary general said, " We want general elections are held in 2007. All the parties should be allowed to take part in the elections to ensure transparency and fairness of these elections.

He announced that CW was ready to extend help for holding elections in transparent manner. We want that concessions are given to the opposition parties.

He pointed out that every one had talked of democracy during his meetings with the opposition and treasury members.

He underlined that holding of elections in 2008 is internal matter of government. We want that general elections are held in 2007 following the completion of existing term. We are sure that the elections will take place in 2007.

Talking on the occasion ARD leadership said that during their meeting with the CW secretary general they had stressed for the revival of unadulterated democracy. Only a single man in military uniform is taking all the decisions and this state of affairs is harming democracy and the country. All the decisions related to Senate are vested in the hands of the president, they added.

" We have urged CW to play its role for restoration of genuine democracy in the country, they said adding we have presented our stance during the meeting. We want such a mechanism is in place under which opportunity is afforded to all, they told. We have sought no guarantee from CW general secretary with reference to general elections. However we have demanded that the government and its agencies don’t interfere in the elections and government should allow popular leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto to return to Pakistan ahead of general elections.

He said that he has apprised Pakistani leaderships of his view point in line with President Gen Pervez Musharraf uniform issue adding that he has also stressed transparency should be ensured in the upcoming general elections.

Don McKinnon expressed these views while talking to media-people after his twice held meeting with leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Reham at parliament house on Saturday.

McKinnon met twice with Fazl, their 10 minutes first meeting was followed by a marathon meeting that lasted for one-hour.

Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly informed Commonwealth secretary general in the backdrop of political scenario of the country with reference of President Musharraf’s uniform issue.

"Commonwealth should force President Musharraf to doff his military uniform, which is impeding development of democracy in the country," Fazl remarked.

"Musharraf has paralyzed the parliament and decisions of parliament have no importance here. Opposition parties are subjected to political vendetta," he complained.

Don McKinnon in his chat with newsmen told that he held meetings with President, Prime Minister and Foreign minister and discussed all the issues with them. "I told the government to ensure transparency during the upcoming general elections. I also informed the leaderships about the President’s uniform issue, which should now be resolved," he underscored.

He said that he discussed political matters in shortest time with the Pakistani leaderships.

Earlier briefing the visiting commonwealth secretary general Don McKinnon on various issues of political importance, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri insisted that military uniform of President General Pervez Musharraf was no hurdle in promoting democratic culture in the country.

"Parliament is fully functioning effectively and all democratic institutions are heading towards positive directions without pressure. All the pillars of power have witnessed balance after President General Pervez Musharraf carried out political reforms in various institutions," Kasuri told these to visiting commonwealth secretary general who called on him at foreign office.

Kasuri reiterated that Pakistan wanted to further bolster ties with special reference in trade and economic sectors with commonwealth states. He also raised the issue of blasphemous cartoons published in various western countries dailies and urged to punish the responsible in this connection.

Don McKinnon lauded Pakistan’s development in trade, politics and democratic areas and expressed satisfaction that Islamabad being important member of the commonwealth was playing vital role.

Kasuri also informed commonwealth secretary general in the backdrop of Pak-India composite dialogue process and other important regional issues.