EU to enhance Pak aid subject to free and fair polls

The European Union (EU) plans to increase its economic assistance to Pakistan three-fold if democracy returns to that country through free and fair polls.

Islamabad, Aug 22 : The European Union (EU) plans to increase its economic assistance to Pakistan three-fold if democracy returns to that country through free and fair polls.

"We are not linking the two, but that transition would be a turning point for Pakistan," said Jan De Kok, the EU Ambassador in Islamabad.

Kok said that like others in the international community the EU had its eyes on Pakistan's general elections.

"It follows therefore that we follow these developments in Pakistan with great interest and cautious concern. "We are convinced that democracy is the only way forward. It is the only way in which Pakistan, and for that matter any other nation, can achieve long-term stability and sustainable development," he added.

He said the EU had finalised a plan to increase Pakistan's annual grant assistance to 400 million euros (540 million dollars), but the EU wanted fair, free and transparent election to sustain democracy and avoid emergency or the martial law.

Commenting on Musharraf's uniform, Kok said that it was fast becoming a constitutional issue and perhaps would eventually be decided by the Supreme Court.

"I have met many people in Pakistan and nobody could give me any conclusive answer about the constitutional position of Musharraf on the issue of his uniform," he said.

Responding to a question, he said some of the amendments in the Constitution would have to be removed to have fully-fledged democracy in Pakistan.

The Dawn quoted Kok as saying that the EU election observers could come to Pakistan, but a number of things needed to happen.

"One, we need a written invitation from the government. Two, a date for elections has to be announced. Three, there needs to be an enabling environment. If they are deployed their report will depend on whether the observers believe that the elections have been held in accordance with international acceptable standards," he said.

ANI