Encouraging support from among the 800,000 strong British Pakistani community as Lord Nazir declares they are more supprtive of Musharraf's government than any previous government. British Pakistani's certainly do feel more confident and more supportive of the CE - there is not the cynicism that was apparent with the so-called 'democratic' governments.
http://www.dawn.com/2000/11/20/top2.htm
'Army rule better than previous govts'
Pakistanis settled in Britain regard the Musharraf rule better than the previous 'democratic' governments, and they support the policies being pursued by the general although their benefits will take some time to reach the common man, a British lord said here on Sunday.
Lord Nazir, the first Pakistani who is a member of the House of Lords, said the policies pursued by the previous governments had shattered the confidence of overseas Pakistanis. He said they were still prepared to do everything possible for them for their motherland provided the government took necessary steps to restore their confidence.
He said some Pakistanis living in the UK who had deposited money in foreign exchange to get plots in some government-sponsored housing schemes were being issued notices that they should get back their money in local currency. Criticizing the decision, he said the depositors must be compensated.
"The Supreme Court has given the present government a three-year mandate and still the British government continues to mount pressure for the restoration of democracy and a clear road map. What is the justification for it to do so and ignore many other countries where there is no democracy?" a reporter asked.
Lord Nazir agreed that in many countries of the Middle East there was no democracy and human rights were being violated. Workers from
poorer countries were discriminated against and were
paid less wages than their local counterparts for the same amount of work. In fact, he said, there were separate laws for the locals and the expatriates.
Citing the example of Egypt, he said the country had been under emergency since 1967, but still it was the "darling of the West".
He said many people had informed British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook that the military takeover in Pakistan had become indispensable and the present system was better than the preceding 'corrupt democracies'.
Mr Cook, he said, was aware of the situation but Britain had certain other obligations because of its status in the Commonwealth.
He said there were many 'fragile democracies' in Africa and in case the UK softened its attitude towards one country where a representative democracy was lacking, generals in African countries could go for overthrowing governments in their countries.
Lord Nazir said communication between Pakistan and the UK was going on and a British team was holding talks with the government these days.
Asked if he could play any role in persuading the British government to return to Pakistan the money deposited by various corrupt Pakistani politicians in UK banks, he said he was already doing whatever he could.
He recalled that during his June visit, he had discussed the matter at length with Foreign Minister Abdus Sattar. On his return, he said, he had taken up the issue with the British government.
He said if it was established that drug money had been deposited in any British bank, the UK government would return the same provided the relevant legal procedure was followed.
The British MP said Pakistanis living in the UK
had to follow the British laws, and if it was established that somebody living there was involved in terrorism against Pakistan, he could be extradited.
Answering a question, he said the present set-up in Pakistan could not be called martial law as except for a general heading it, all other people running it were civilians.
http://www.dawn.com/2000/11/20/top2.htm
'Army rule better than previous govts'
Pakistanis settled in Britain regard the Musharraf rule better than the previous 'democratic' governments, and they support the policies being pursued by the general although their benefits will take some time to reach the common man, a British lord said here on Sunday.
Lord Nazir, the first Pakistani who is a member of the House of Lords, said the policies pursued by the previous governments had shattered the confidence of overseas Pakistanis. He said they were still prepared to do everything possible for them for their motherland provided the government took necessary steps to restore their confidence.
He said some Pakistanis living in the UK who had deposited money in foreign exchange to get plots in some government-sponsored housing schemes were being issued notices that they should get back their money in local currency. Criticizing the decision, he said the depositors must be compensated.
"The Supreme Court has given the present government a three-year mandate and still the British government continues to mount pressure for the restoration of democracy and a clear road map. What is the justification for it to do so and ignore many other countries where there is no democracy?" a reporter asked.
Lord Nazir agreed that in many countries of the Middle East there was no democracy and human rights were being violated. Workers from
poorer countries were discriminated against and were
paid less wages than their local counterparts for the same amount of work. In fact, he said, there were separate laws for the locals and the expatriates.
Citing the example of Egypt, he said the country had been under emergency since 1967, but still it was the "darling of the West".
He said many people had informed British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook that the military takeover in Pakistan had become indispensable and the present system was better than the preceding 'corrupt democracies'.
Mr Cook, he said, was aware of the situation but Britain had certain other obligations because of its status in the Commonwealth.
He said there were many 'fragile democracies' in Africa and in case the UK softened its attitude towards one country where a representative democracy was lacking, generals in African countries could go for overthrowing governments in their countries.
Lord Nazir said communication between Pakistan and the UK was going on and a British team was holding talks with the government these days.
Asked if he could play any role in persuading the British government to return to Pakistan the money deposited by various corrupt Pakistani politicians in UK banks, he said he was already doing whatever he could.
He recalled that during his June visit, he had discussed the matter at length with Foreign Minister Abdus Sattar. On his return, he said, he had taken up the issue with the British government.
He said if it was established that drug money had been deposited in any British bank, the UK government would return the same provided the relevant legal procedure was followed.
The British MP said Pakistanis living in the UK
had to follow the British laws, and if it was established that somebody living there was involved in terrorism against Pakistan, he could be extradited.
Answering a question, he said the present set-up in Pakistan could not be called martial law as except for a general heading it, all other people running it were civilians.
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