Author: Report - PTI
Publication: The Free Press Journal
Date: October 5, 2002
Saying that a military government
in Pakistan has exacerbated tensions with India over Kashmir, a US-based
analysis and advocacy group has warned that President Pervez Musharraf's
plans to perpetuate military power could lead to instability, reports PTI.
"A military government in Pakistan
has already exacerbated tensions with India over Kashmir, and elements
of the military have used the jihadis for their own purposes," the International
Crisis Management Group says in its report released on Thursday.
Asking the United States and EU
to ensure that Musharraf keeps his promise to restore democracy, ICG asks
Musharraf to give the Election Commission full authority to check the malpractices
in the coming elections, and give unrestricted access to local and international
observers to witness the electoral process.
Political stability will elude Pakistan
until the country has a representative government. There is a high
risk that the coming elections will not be free and fair.
"But if they are the victors will
be the major, moderate parties who are sympathetic to US goals in the region,
who have their own reasons to normalise relations with India and curb the
powers of extremist groups," it stresses.
Demanding that Musharraf withdraw
the proposal to form a National Security Council a d other constitutional
amendments recently promulgated, ICG said they undermine federal, parliamentary
and democratic structure and safeguards the interests of only armed forces.
It also criticised Musharraf for
following the previous military rulers by unilaterally instituting political
and constitutional changes intended to ensure the generals retain the real
power and democratic transition falters.
The report blames military and political
elite for thwarting development of democracy in the country, stressing,
"the political elite succumbed in the past to the military's tactics, tempted
the spoils of power, and is again facing a blueprint for more military
rule."
External pressure, especially from
the US and the European Union is vital if Musharraf is to fulfil his pledge
to restore democracy. "Washington and its allies have so far said little,
in the misguided belief that Pakistan's military is the only institution
that can combat terrorism in the region and hold back the tide of Islamist
extremism," it says.
