Democracy best to counter terror: PM

"We speak for ourselves and democracy. I can say certainly that principles we emphasise in meetings and discussions, the importance of strong parliament provided effective check on the government that will do an oversight of the government that can bring in members of the government to testify before the parliament, and ask them tough questions, how were these expenditures going be made, what is involved in this budget. We had a lot of discussion about the military budget and make sure that there is parliamentary insight on the military budget".  

To a question, he said the Congressmen met President Musharraf, party leaders and MPs, and "we discussed variety of things. Our primary focus had been on the democratic process and how we can partner with our colleagues in Pakistani parliament".

He said they had extensive discussion on the struggle against terrorism and how that can be most effective and as "how can we better coordinate our efforts". He said they also discussed as what will be the impact of the some of the negotiations taking place right now in Pakistan, the effect on the cross border terrorism into Afghanistan. "These certainly have been subject of our discussions". "If you think that we have come here to urge either party to take a certain position on the president, "No".

He said the president and all party leaders were very supportive and the President expressed his view of the role he is playing on the democratic transition, parliament and MPs different thinking but "we have received nothing but encouragement from the President but also from the party leaders and the parliamentarians in terms of working with them to strengthen democratic institutions".

APP adds: US Congressmen lauded Pakistan's commitment to combating extremism in a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday and reaffirmed their support for the country's counter-terrorism efforts and social development goals.

Two U.S. Congressional delegations, led by Senator Ben Nelson and Congressman Adam Schiff, called separately on the President in Rawalpindi.  

"Pakistan-U.S. relations, counter-terrorism cooperation, domestic and regional developments were discussed during the meetings," a Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement.  

President Musharraf said Pakistan attaches importance to Congressional support for the broadening and deepening of relations to the mutual benefit of the two countries.

He highlighted Pakistan's contribution to the international counter-terrorism efforts, while underlining the importance of the government's comprehensive strategy which combined political, military, and socio-economic dimensions.

The discussions also covered efforts to strengthen security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

President Musharraf underlined importance of Congressional support for counter-terrorism initiatives of the government that included FATA Development Plan, capacity building of the Frontier Corps (FC) and establishment of the ROZs.

The visiting Members of Congress conveyed their support for the important relationship between Pakistan and the United States.

The Congressional delegation led by Senator Ben Nelson (Democrat-Nebraska) included Allen Boyd (Democrat-Florida) and Nick Lampson (Democrat-Florida).

The delegation led by Congressman Adam Schiff (Democrat-California) comprised Allyson Schwartz (Democrat-Pennsylvania) and Wayne Gilchrest (Republican-Maryland).