End of emergency vital for polls: US envoy

ISLAMABAD—US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Peterson has said that the efforts of her country that free, fair and transparent elections in Pakistan are held are underway, adding that, Government and President Musharraf have been apprised repeatedly that the release of Political activist and end of emergency rule is vital in this respect.
Talking to Acting President Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Makhdoom Javed Hashmi here on Saturday, US Ambassador added that the bush administration is trying its level best to ensure free, fair and transparent elections and press Musharraf to end emergency rule in Pakistan.
Overall Political situation of the country, next general elections, return of Former Prime Minister and Quaid PML-N Mian Shahab Sharif were discussed during the meeting, sources told Online.
“We are clearing the situation on Musharraf to release all political workers, end curbs placed on media, restore civil rights and end emergency rule in the country because US favours sustainable democracy in the country”, she added.
Appreciating role of US in release of Political activist, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said, free elections is not possible under rule of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Emergency rule in the country and restriction on media was clear evidence of rig in the elections.
The decision to participate in the elections or not will be taken at the platform of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) while Quaid PML-N Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will return to home within two days to run his party elections campaign, he said. The Bush administration plans a broad overhaul in the distribution system of its economic aid to Pakistan. Hopeful that President Pervez Musharraf will soon lift Emergency rule, possibly as early as next week, US officials are close to settling on a strategy that would not reduce assistance but impose tough new conditions and limit or eliminate direct payments to Pakistan’s government, officials said here.
The United States has provided nearly USD 10 billion in aid to Pakistan since 2001, and President George W Bush’s proposed fiscal 2008 budget would have Pakistan receive a baseline amount of USD 785 million in aid. The administration is asking for another USD 60 million in a supplemental request.—Agencies
Of the total, some USD 200 million is delivered directly to the government by the State Department. Hundreds of millions more come from the Pentagon. But instead of direct transfers, under the new policy, money would be used to pay for specific “earmarked” items requested by the Pakistanis and hire contractors for programmes the US government is not able to run.