News
Sunday, August 17, 2008
US lawmaker asks Musharraf to leave
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Another United States lawmaker has asked President Pervez Musharraf to step down because the people of Pakistan have spoken and seek an end to dictatorship. Congressman Steve J Israel, New York Democrat, said in a statement, “The people of Pakistan have spoken clearly and decisively for a transition from a decade of dictatorship to democracy in the February 18th elections. It is time for General Musharraf to accept the mandate of the people for democratic change, and step down for the sake of his nation. Free from the threat of a president without legitimacy and popular support, the new democratically-elected Government of Pakistan can devote its full attention to the economic, energy and food crises facing the nation, and the growing threat of extremism. The immediate step after Musharraf’s departure should be the restoration of the old independent judiciary. Without getting the judges back on the Supreme Court and high court benches, Pakistan cannot move forward and make the progress it needs. As a member of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, I believe it is critical for Pakistan to turn the page toward democracy, good governance and effective anti-terrorism.”
Courtesy Daily Times