Opposition dubs Bush's visit a courtesy trip

Opposition parties on Saturday dubbed US President George W Bush's visit a 'courtesy trip' and said President General Pervez Musharraf's sole concern during the one-on-one meeting was to get support for his unhindered rule in uniform.
Reacting to joint press conference by both the Presidents, opposition leaders believed that the sole aim of the US head of the state's visit was to exert pressure on Pakistan to 'do more' to root out 'terrorism' from its soil.
They rejected the assurance President Musharraf gave to Bush that he would hold free and fair elections in 2007, saying the electoral process under a set-up, led by Musharraf, would not be acceptable to democratic forces.
Concessions such as the one given to India when US signed a civilian nuclear energy agreement the other day in New Delhi, could only be materialised by democratically elected rulers, remarked Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chairman Raja Mohammad Zafarul Haq while talking to Business Recorder.
"It is quite clear that Bush visited Pakistan to seek explanation from Musharraf about India and Afghanistan's allegations against Pakistan about cross border terrorism," he maintained.
The PML (N) leader said that Musharraf's concern, like any other military dictator, during his meeting with Bush would have been to get legitimacy for his rule, as he felt insecure in the face of the opposition parties getting united against him.
Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal deputy parliamentary Leader Liaquat Baloch told this correspondent that it was regrettable that Pakistan had to suffer in many ways by supporting the US-led 'anti-terror war' while India was reaping benefits for making no contribution to it.
"Body language of Musharraf suggested that he is now exhausted and knows that his days as a ruler are numbered," the MMA leader said and rejected Musharraf's assurance to hold polls in 2007.
He doubted President's intention to hold elections in a free, fair and transparent manner, saying priorities of a dictator and a politician always remain poles apart.
Joint opposition, Baloch said, had unanimity that the electoral process under General Musharraf was totally unacceptable to them as it will negate democracy and transparency.
Pakistan Peoples' Party Parliamentarians Raja Pervaiz Ashraf viewed US deal with India as a reward to the neighbouring country for ensuring continuity of political process.
He referred to Bush's meeting with the Indian Prime Minister and signing of agreements with him, whereas, an elected Premier Shaukat Aziz, being overlooked in Pakistan.
The PPPP leader said that the reason why Musharraf gave no clear-cut date about doffing his uniform, was that he did not have faith in the political edifice he himself had erected. "Musharraf derives power from uniform and the Parliament is mere an eye-wash," he added.
Pervaiz Ashraf said that the opposition would take part in 2007 elections only if these were conducted by an independent election commission, supervised by a national government.