US supports new government: Hunt

Principal Officer of US Consulate Bryan D Hunt has said democracy is much more than elections and US support the newly elected Pakistani government. He said that it was the time for Pakistan to strengthen its institutions and the local government system.
His comments came in a lecture on "Pakistan's Elections 2008, Transition to Democracy" by Professor Muhammad Waseem, which was organised by Pakistan Study Centre of Punjab University on Friday. We want broad-based and strategic relations with Pakistan, the US diplomat said.
About working with the new political government he said, "in the past we have worked with the governments of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and we have a good relations with them." He called for strengthening local government system to strengthen the democratic system at the grass root level.
He said his country had invested millions of dollars in different sectors in Pakistan, their ally in war on terror. About the recent visit of American officials to Pakistan, he said these visits were for consultations with Pakistani official on important issues and in future the liaison between two countries would continue.
In his lecture, Professor Muhammad Waseem termed the process of transition to democracy in Pakistan as a wrong beginning with the right end. He compared the elections of 2002 and 2008 and said that both the elections were held in uncertainty and the people showed suspicion about the holding of elections.
In 2002 Musharraf had a reform agenda and in 2008 elections he has the agenda of survival. He said Musharraf enjoyed the full support of Americans and after lawyers' and civil society's movement started in March 2007 he was in the line of fire and lost its support.
He also said in 2002 major political parties fought elections without their leadership but in 2008 their leadership were present but unfortunately PPP chairperson was assassinated that changing the political scenario completely.
The incident caused Musharraf to further loss its support and the decision of Chief of Army Staff General Kiyani not to interfere in election process fails the whole plan of Musharraf, he opined.