‘Pakistan firmly set on democratic path’

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf has said that with the passage of constitutional amendment, Pakistan was firmly set on the path of sustained democracy.

He was talking to a delegation of Dutch parliamentarians that called on him on Monday.

The delegation included Wim de Boer, Boris Dittrich, Thea Fierens, HJ Ormel and Mrs Tineke Huizinga. Dutch Ambassador in Islamabad, Dr PM Kurpershoek and Dutch non-governmental organisations (NGO) representatives A Mook and Mrs A Gelrels were also present.

The president held a wide-ranging discussion with the delegation covering Pak-Dutch relations and regional matters. The parliamentarians praised Pakistan for the assistance it offered to millions of Afghan refugees for over 20 years. The discussion covered the steps taken by Pakistan for the improvement of human rights particularly with regard to women and minorities.

The Dutch team congratulated the president for the success of South Asian Association Regional Cooperation summit and the decision reached with the Indian prime minister to resume a dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues between New Delhi and Islamabad. The president called for closer ties between the Netherlands and Pakistan, especially by way of greater support to Pakistan’s socio-economic development plans. —NNI

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