Only democracy in Pakistan can combat terrorism: Washington Post

Washington, March 17 : In an editorial of US newspaper, The Washington Post has said that the establishment of democracy in Pakistan is best antidote to religious extremism in the country.

According to the editorial, the Pakistan People's Party-Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) agreement gives them commanding majority in parliament. Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif have agreed to implement a Charter for Democracy that Benazir Bhutto and Sharif hammered out in 2006 while they were living in exile.

The new government's plan to restore 63 senior judges fired by the Musharraf government during emergency is seen as an important reformation and political step.

"When the deposed judges are restored to the bench and controls imposed by Musharraf on the media are removed, Pakistan could have the most liberal and open political system in its history," the paper said.

If supported by the Bush Administration, Musharraf could be the biggest obstacle to the transformation of the government, the Post said.

It warned that if Musharraf prevented the new Government from restoring the suspended judiciary, he could also refuse to recognise parliament's authority or even try to dissolve it.

"President Bush should ask Musharraf either to accept the decisions of the new government and courts, or step down," the paper concluded.

ANI