A leading Iranian daily has praised President Pervez Musharraf for holding free and fair elections in the country. Commenting editorially the daily described the February vote as "one of the most auspicious socio-political events of 2008 in Pakistan."
The February vote, which by most accounts was fair and democratic, and the formation of a coalition government made up of the two biggest opposition parties in the country, has gone a long way in restoring the Pakistani political system's reputation and ease fears about a melt down in that geo-politically crucial and nuclear-armed state, the daily added.
According to the daily, prior to the positive developments of the last couple of months, many analysts were predicting dire scenarios for Pakistan, moving towards civilian rule. The daily congratulated the Pakistani nation, government and political system for a job well done.