20000326

Indian statement

on democracy

termed unwarranted

ISLAMABAD: A Government spokesman on Saturday turned Indian Foreign Minister's comments about the return of democracy in Pakistan as unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan.

"The remarks made by the Foreign Office spokesman of India to the effect that India calls for an immediate return to democracy in Pakistan in reaction to the Chief Executive's announcement of the devolution plan on March 23, is unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan," an official spokesman of the Government of Pakistan said.

The spokesman regretted that the Indian government has neither studied the full text of the devolution plan announced by the Chief Executive with depth and attention which they merit, nor does the Indian government possess an understanding of the specific content and conditions inside Pakistan.

"Instead of acknowledging that the timeframe for establishing the foundation of democracy represents an unpcedented and comprehensive framework for the authentic empowerment of the people at the grass-roots level, the Indian spokesman has merely given a superficial reaction."

Referring to India's claims about being a democracy, the spokesman said, that, instead of criticising other nations such as Pakistan, the Indian government should concentrate on the enfranchisement and empowerment of tens of millions of the poor and under-privileged people of India who belong to the lowest castes of Hindu society and remain deprived of their basic human and democratic rights.

"India tramples the principles of democracy every day in Jammu and Kashmir through its overt and covert acts of terrorism."

The framework for devolution for power and responsibility between the federation, the provinces and the districts announced by the Chief Executive is the most appropriate way to re-establish democracy in Pakistan, the spokesman said.ÑAPP