Search the Internet          Tips

UK unhappy with Musharraf seizing presidency

Shyam Bhatia
India Abroad Correspondent in London

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says Pakistan's return to democracy has suffered a setback following General Pervez Musharraf's decision to dissolve the country's suspended assemblies and take over the presidency by dismissing President Rafiq Tarar.

"I was deeply concerned to hear that General Musharraf has dissolved Pakistan's suspended assemblies and assumed the presidency of Pakistan," Straw said on Wednesday in a statement released by the British foreign office.

"There is bound to be widespread anxiety that this represents a setback in the transition to elected democracy," he added.

"It is all the more important now for Pakistan to proceed quickly with multi-party national and provincial elections within a clear constitutional framework.

"I underlined the importance of early elections to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar on June 12. We will continue to take all opportunities to emphasise this point to the Pakistani authorities."

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report