UK reiterates strong support for democracy in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The British government has reiterated strong support for democracy in Pakistan following recent events, revealed a press release issued from the British embassy on Wednesday. A British Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said, “The UK strongly supports democracy in Pakistan. Representative, accountable government that delivers for the people, and is chosen according to constitutional processes, is in the best interests of Pakistan.” “We believe elections should be held on time and managed by the independent election commission under the auspices of a constitutionally-appointed and impartial caretaker government that lasts its proper term and no longer,” the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Baroness Sayeeda Warsi said on Wednesday that Britain supports democracy in Pakistan and would very much like to see the democratic process succeed in the country. “Pakistan stands at an important crossroads where it has a huge opportunity when a democratically elected government had the opportunity to pass on power to another democratically elected government,” she said while responding to a question about the latest political developments in the country at a meeting with Pakistani reports. She said democracy was not easy and it took her country – Britain – hundreds of years to perfect the process of parliamentary democracy. “But if every time democracy does not appear to be working perfectly and you start looking for alternatives, and to start looking to dissolve the process, then democracy will never mature,” Warsi said. “And if you see the constitutional reforms (in Pakistan), the strength of the media, the appointment of an independent election commissioner, then this is a moment of maturity with the democratic process and the people of Pakistan must not allow this moment to slip away.” She said Britain would work with whoever Pakistan elects as president or prime minister. “We have an interest in seeing a successful Pakistan,” Warsi added. The British minister especially came to New York to participate in the Security Council debate on counterterrorism, which was sponsored by Pakistan. Pakistan, she said, was on the ‘front line of terrorism’ and making enormous sacrifices, including in lives lost. Britain understood the terrible losses inflicted on the Pakistani people, and it would continue to offer its sympathy and steadfast support, she said, adding that after all, ‘Pakistan’s enemy is our enemy’ in this regard. staff report

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