Pak-Americans seek Obama's to support for reforms in Pakistan

Washington, Mar. 13 (ANI): Several Pakistani-American organizations have urged President Obama to support their call for an independent judiciary and other constitutional reforms in Pakistan.

Members of Pakistan American National Alliance gathered at Capitol Hill on Wednesday to voice support for the national protest, The Nation reports.

They also held a symbolic Long March and a demonstration outside the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, carrying placards to register their protest over what they called the ruling party's reluctance to restore judges deposed by Musharraf.

"At this time, if America is on the wrong side of history, that will be disastrous. So we are very concerned; we want to make sure our (US) government understands the stakes and is not seen opposing the independent judiciary," said Agha Saeed, a California based Political Scientist and founder of the Pakistan American National Alliance.

Activist Raja Muhammad Yaqub, Chairman of the Coalition of Pakistani Organizations of Chicago, said Pakistan's former Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry must be reinstated.

"We struggle for independence of the judiciary in Pakistan and real democracy in Pakistan, and economic development and a modern state that can give human rights and civil rights and economic stability to Pakistan," he said.

Muhammad Salim Akhtar of the American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights and Elections said Obama administration's support for the opposition would mean that the US favors full democracy in Pakistan.

"We hope and pray that Obama government understands the situation and they will demand before we (US) can deal with this government (Pakistan Government) who came through the democratic process but their norms are not democratic," he said.

Meanwhile, a Pakistan Embassy spokesman defended Islamabad's move to obstruct lawyer's Long March, which could create some serious law and order implications.

"It's the responsibility of the government to protect life and property of the citizens. The government would not allow a situation, which could result in the bloodshed of its own people on the roads. Hence, necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and security in the country," Nadeen Kiani said. (ANI)