In what could be a major blow to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf ahead of seeking re-election, Britain has said that the holding of two offices-- Chief of Army Staff and President of Pakistan-- by the same person, is against the basic principles of democracy.
London, Aug 21 : In what could be a major blow to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf ahead of seeking re-election, Britain has said that the holding of two offices-- Chief of Army Staff and President of Pakistan-- by the same person, is against the basic principles of democracy.
The British Government also said it is against the spirit of the Harare Declaration of 1991.
Natasha Khan, a British born Pakistani serving as a Spokeswoman of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), said that Britain's stance on the issue is the same as was agreed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Malta in 2005 when Pakistan was urged to resolve the uniform issue by the end of Musharraf's term by 2007.
"We believe that the holding by the same person of the offices of Head of State and Chief of Army Staff is incompatible with the basic principles of democracy and the spirit of the Harare Commonwealth principles," The News quoted her, as saying.
She added: "The Heads of Governments noted that the holding by the same person of the offices of Head of State and Chief of Army Staff is incompatible with the basic principles of democracy and the spirit of the Harare Commonwealth principles. They had reiterated that until the two office are separated, the process of democratisation in Pakistan will not be irreversible."
Natasha went on to say that the Heads of Governments had noted that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) would retain Pakistan on its agenda pending the resolution of this outstanding issue.
ANI