State Department has said that the Government of Pakistan is moving forward in a positive way, and in a right direction. "In discussions with the Government of Pakistan and in observing measures that the Government of Pakistan has taken, I think we are comfortable that they are committed and moving in the right direction,' deputy spokesman said. In response to a question at the daily press briefing, Adam Ereli said: 'the theme is moving forward in a way that expands, develops institutions, practices, develops enfranchisement in a positive way."
The deputy spokesman said: 'it's certainly a direction the Government of Pakistan is moving in.'
"It's certainly a - I think an issue and a cause and a process that the leadership of Pakistan has embraced."
Adam Ereli suggested that 'this is not a question of pressure or persuasion, but it's rather a question of working with a country that has taken and continues to take and has every intention of taking positive steps to open up the political process."
He referred to President General Pervez Musharraf's resolve towards strengthening of democratic order.
"President Musharraf has said that they are going to be moving in that direction, and the timing of that is something that I think the Pakistanis and the Pakistani Government and institutions are going to have to develop- something that they are comfortable with."
To another question, the deputy spokesman said "Pakistan is a key ally in the global war on terror."
Both the US and Pakistan, "continue to talk about how we can work together to take the fight to the bad guys, how Pakistan and the United States have a shared interest and a shared - or have common cause in this."
He said: "Obviously, we have a full range of bilateral issue to discuss. We've talked about it a number of times from this podium. Democratisation, economic relations, regional security issues, and non-proliferation."
He rejected as "unnecessarily confrontational" a negative assertion by a reporter.