Civil-Military relations in Pakistan are severely unbalanced: Karamat

Claiming that the people of Pakistan have a desire to return to their constitutional roots, Pakistans Ambassador to the United States General (retired) Jehangir Karamat said that relations between the civil and military authorities are severely unbalanced at present.

Washington, Sep 22 : Claiming that the people of Pakistan have a desire to return to their constitutional roots, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States General (retired) Jehangir Karamat said that relations between the civil and military authorities are "severely unbalanced" at present.

Calling for a more balanced relation between the two, General Karamat said, "We are not going to see total civilian supremacy, nor is there going to be total military supremacy".

Pakistan is not going to become a "secular democracy", nor a "theocratic state". Instead, it would take the middle road, General Karamat told reporters.

Despite the fact that sometimes the US has impatient attitude towards Pakistan, both countries have continued their dialogue, the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

The recent strategic talks between US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and his Pakistani counterpart "must have gone well", he added.

Supporting the "presidential continuity" in Pakistan, General Karamat said the post-election government would be more democratic.

As for the military's hold over power, "We'll see a gradual withdrawal," he speculated.

He went on to say that President Pervez Musharraf's continuity in office would be good for Pakistan.

Commenting on the problems in Afghanistan, General Karamat said that it would not be resolved in a hurry. Pakistan's three-pronged strategy based on developing the region economically would eventually produce results.

Pakistan wants a stable Afghanistan and it is not working for a change of Government in Kabul. However, the fallout from Afghanistan was increasing for Pakistan in the form of drugs and refugees, he added.

He urged the US to not put any sort of sanctions on Pakistan or give any threat of sanctions, as it would be counterproductive, adding, Musharraf regime is doing its best and there should be recognition of that by Washington.

ANI