UK Concern Over Pakistan State Of Emergency

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign secretary expresses concerns with Pakistan over state of emergency

Following President Musharraf's announcement to call a state of emergency Foreign Secretary, David Miliband said:

"All friends of Pakistan will be concerned by the turn of events today. We recognise the threat to peace and security faced by the country, but its future rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of stability, development and countering terrorism."

"I am gravely concerned by the measures adopted today, which will take Pakistan further from these goals. It is vital that the Government acts in accordance with the Constitution, and abides by the commitment to hold free and fair elections on schedule which President Musharraf reiterated to the Prime Minister when they spoke on 1 November. We will raise our concerns about these developments at the highest levels. Among other contacts, our High Commissioner in Islamabad will be calling on the Pakistani Foreign Ministry and I will be speaking to Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri."

"We are working closely with friends of Pakistan across the international community to encourage all parties to show restraint and to work together for a peaceful and democratic resolution. We hope that the strong communities in the UK of Pakistani origin will also use their contacts through family and business to make the case for democracy and the rule of law."

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SEE ALSO:

Pakistan's Musharraf Declares State Of Emergency
04 Nov 2007 7:57am | VOA News - State television carried the state of emergency announcement Saturday evening, hours after independent news channels in the country reported a declaration was imminent.

A Setback For Pakistani Democracy
04 Nov 2007 | US State Department - The United States stand with the people of Pakistan in supporting a democratic process and in countering violent extremism. We urge all parties to work together to complete the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence or delay.

ENDS

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