With the March 2008 change in government, there is renewed opportunity for the United States to assist Pakistan's return to civilian democracy by strengthening its institutions, says a new State Department report detailing the state of democracy around the world.
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, the report spells out Washington's commitment to and focus on promotion of democracy in Pakistan that witnessed a new PPP-led coalition government emerge in the wake of historic February 18 polls.
"The US strategy focuses on promoting free, fair, and transparent elections and political processes; strengthening the capacity of national and provincial legislatures and local government; supporting civil society, including the media; strengthening democratisation and representation of political parties through political party reform; and both supporting an independent judiciary and enhancing respect for the rule of law," the report said.
The United States continues to work with the government, civil society institutions, and international organisations to strengthen the media, build an independent judiciary, increase transparency within political parties, and strengthen an independent Election Commission.
Documenting Washington's efforts for promoting democracy in the key South Asian country, the report says the United States mounted a major diplomatic and assistance effort to support the democratic process leading up to the February 2008 elections.
"In particular, senior US officials advocated a level playing field for all political parties and called for a free, fair, and transparent vote." Senior US officials, it says, voiced their opposition to the state of emergency and criticised media restrictions. US-funded organisations worked with the Election Commission to computerise and improve the quality and appearance of the electoral list and polling station information, as well as to pioneer a Web-based complaint system for reporting election-related abuses.
Through coordination with multiple donors, the US provided translucent ballot boxes and security seals, trained political party poll watchers, funded domestic election monitors, and provided voter education training and materials. "The United States continues to implement a multiyear strategy to increase the capacity of the country's political parties and democratic institutions.
"A US-funded political party strengthening programme helped parties' efforts to become more responsive to their constituents' interests through internal reform and democratisation of their governing structures and processes."
The report also recounts a series of programmes aimed at supporting leadership of political parties to train leaders on issue-based campaigning, training in law drafting and budget review, strengthening oversight capacity, developing a functioning committee system, promoting religious freedom, combating discrimination, eliminating worst forms of child labour, and assisting the government to combat trafficking in persons.