High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan David B. Colling has said that putting off uniform by President General Musharraf is a positive step which will step forward the national reconciliation process in Pakistan.
He stated this while talking to reporters after his meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Nawaz Sharif after a meeting with him at his Raiwind residence on Wednesday. David said: "We discussed the current political situation at length", adding his meeting with Nawaz Sharif is part of a series of discussions with the politicians of Pakistan.
When asked whether holding of free and fair elections is possible under the state of emergency, the Canadian envoy hoped that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will ably fulfil the task of holding free and fair elections in the country. "We want end of emergency and restoration of democracy in the country," he added.
Answering a question regarding suspension of membership of Pakistan by the Commonwealth, David said the representative of Canadian government was present in the meeting in which decision in this regard was taken. 'Our main concern is lifting the state of emergency and restoration of democracy', he added.
The High Commissioner of United Kingdom, Robert Brinkley also held a separate meeting with Nawaz Sharif at his Raiwind farmhouse on Wednesday. Robert welcomed the return of Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan and exchanged views on the political situation in the country with reference to the upcoming general elections.
After the meeting, Robert said he greeted Nawaz Sharif on his return to his country. He hoped that Nawaz's return would be good for the country and help restore democracy. PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan assisted Nawaz Sharif in both the meetings. Moreover, an important meeting of the central executive committee of the PML-N was held at Model Town residence of Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday.