Islamabad, November 17
The USA today delivered a “strong message” to beleaguered Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to lift emergency but the defiant military ruler refused to yield saying the measure was needed to fight terrorism and conduct free and fair elections.
US deputy secretary of state John Negroponte during a two-hour-long meeting with Musharraf here conveyed a “strong message” to the General to end emergency and doff his uniform immediately, western diplomatic sources said.
Deputy army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiani, who will replace Musharraf as army chief once he gives up his military uniform, was also present at the meeting. Negroponte had earlier met Kiani separately .
The visit by the second highest ranking US official to Pakistan is the latest push by the Bush administration to persuade Musharraf to end emergency imposed on November 3, quit as army chief and restore fundamental rights to facilitate free and fair polls.
The US embassy refused to comment on the parleys but Pakistani official sources said Musharraf made it clear that the emergency would be lifted only when the law and order situation improved.
The military ruler emphasised that the step was taken to strengthen the fight against militants and hold the upcoming general election in a peaceful atmosphere, the sources said.
State-run APP news agency said the two leaders discussed “regional and international issues of mutual concern” and the fight against terrorism and militancy".
They re-emphasised “the mutual resolve to combat the menace through joint efforts” and discussed steps to bolster multi-faceted bilateral ties, it said. Negroponte spoke on phone with former premier Benazir Bhutto last night. Benazir, who was freed from house arrest yesterday, flew to Karachi from Lahore.
The US official also held talks yesterday with Tariq Aziz, Secretary of the National Security Council and a close aide of Musharraf who was involved in secret parleys with Benazir. He was scheduled to meet foreign secretary Riaz Mohammed Khan though official sources said no meetings had been arranged with members of the caretaker government sworn in by Musharraf yesterday.
— PTI
