US Congressmen admire Pakistan’s anti-terror fight

WASHINGTON—The bipartisan leadership of US Congress hailed Pakistan as a close partner in the fight against terrorism as they reiterated their support for long-term cooperation in various fields and expressed the desire for stability and full democracy in the country in meetings with a delegation of visiting Pakistani special envoys.
Minister Dr Nasim Ashraf, who led the delegation with members of the influential US Congress, said he found support for Pakistan at a meeting with Tom Lantos, Chairman of powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. “It was a successful meeting, Lantos expressed admiration and support for Pakistan and described President Musharraf as a friend,” Dr Ashraf said.
The delegation which also includes Minister Mohammad Ali Saif and former parliamentarian Kashmala Tariq met with Democratic congresswoman Nita Lowey, Congressmnn T Earney and Gary Ackerman. The US legislators expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s valuable contribution in the campaign against terrorism.
The American lawmakers also acknowledged President Musharraf’s counterterrorism efforts over the years in their interactions as the envoys explained reasons behind imposition of emergency and reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to transition to full democracy.
At a forum, co-hosted by Pakistani Congressional Caucus and Pakistani American Leadership Center,Congressman Vito Fossella said the United States and Pakistan have maintained a strong relationship, particularly since 9/11 and favored strong economic and political ties between the two allies.
“Pakistan is a strategically reliable partner and we hope it will have democracy,” the Republican Congressman said. Congresswoman Diane Watson, speaking on the occasion, said President Musharraf’s taking off his military uniform is a “good sign” towards development of democracy in the country. “I see movement towards democracy.” The Democratic representative welcomed the presidential envoys’ visit to the US capital, stating their facing divergent views and explaining things that are not normally projected in the media, will help promote understanding of issues.
“Pakistan is one of the closest partners and allies and we want it to have stability and democracy,” she stated. Jack Rosen, chairman American Jewish Congress, who also attended the forum on the Capitol Hill, told Pakistani newsmen that President Musharraf’s steps including leaving the office of army chief and commitment to revoke state of emergency by December 16 are “promising” steps toward democracy.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Nasim Ashraf dilated on reasons that led to imposition of emergency on November 3 and said the recent “unsavory” measures had become “unavoidable” as the country was confronted with a spate of suicide bombings and the government faced paralysis due to disharmony between institutions.
Dr Ashraf dispelled misperceptions on a host of counts and assured the large presence of Pakistani American community during the lively discourse that the government is committed to holding free and fair elections. He informed that the constitutionally mandated election commission of Pakistan functions independently.
The envoys also interacted with American intellectuals at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Barrister Saif responded to a series of questions from constitutional and legal perspectives and regretted that the higher judiciary had started “micromanaging” things, falling in the purview of the executive. He said the courts had a right to take notice of things of public interest but there is a fine line between judicial activism and authority of the executive. He referred to the adverse impact of some of the decisions by the courts including the release of terror suspects.
He said various political parties interacted with the election commission of Pakistan to correct electoral lists. Kashmala Tariq, in her remarks, highlighted the importance of unprecedented representation President Musahrraf’s government gave to women at the local, provincial and national tiers of governance.
“The increased representation for more than 50 per cent of the country’s population, about 22 per cent in the National Assembly, brought to the parliament women from the middle class, something which was hard to imagine previously,” she observed. She cited women MPs’ participation in legislative activity and said she moved bills on honor killings and the Hudood Ordinance. She also referred to her election as chairperson of a commonwealth forum of women parliamentarians, saying it reflected Pakistan’s progress towards women empowerment.
The envoys also interacted with American intellectuals at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Barrister Saif responded to a series of questions from constitutional and legal perspectives and regretted that the higher judiciary had started “micromanaging” things, falling in the purview of the executive.Kashmala Tariq also appealed for understanding and support for Pakistan at this critical transition juncture when it is also combating terrorism. She said those wishing to see perfect things should take stock of the situation in a dispassionate manner as no society offers perfect system.
Members of a US Congressional delegation that visited Pakistan last week have voiced the confidence in the top leadership’s desire to ensure free and fair parliamentary elections on January 8 and acknowledged President Pervez Musharraf as an “extraordinarily important ally” in the fight against terrorism.
“I think there’s a genuine desire on his (President Pervez Musharraf’s) part to have (these elections) be viewed as legitimate,” Sen. Corker said at a news conference with four other lawmakers who accompanied him on a nine-day visit to Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.
He described the five-member delegation’s meeting with President Musharraf as outstanding and noted the Pakistani leader’s commitment to allowing international observers for the upcoming elections. The delegation that included Senator Bob Bennett from Utah, Congressman David Dreier from California, Congressman Joe Wilson from South Carolina and Congressman Darrell Issa from California also discussed US-Pakistan relations and war on terror during the meeting. They also had a meeting with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto during the visit. Representative David Dreier, expressing his views, said it was impressive to see that Preaident Musharraf “understands that it is in his best interest and in the interest of the people of the 165 million people of Pakistan to have the freest, fairest election possible.”
In the context of democratic development, the legislator appreciated President Musharraf’s steps including his relinquishing the office of army chief and his announcement to lift the state of emergency by December 16 and hold elections on January 8, next year. “I will say that President Musharraf was very, very insistent on ensuring that the observers for the January 8th election are able to participate from all over the world, and we certainly take him at his word on that.”
Dreier praised the Pakistani leader’s role in the fight against terrorism saying “it’s important to note that President Musharraf has been an extraordinarily important ally” and expressed the hope that the two countries would be successful in their counter terrorism efforts.