Brown asks Musharraf to ensure free and fair polls

LONDON: Hailing the stepping down of President Pervez Musharraf as army chief as an important part of the process towards restoring democracy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday asked the Pakistani leader to ensure that free and fair elections are held as planned in January.

"I welcome the decision (by Musharraf) to step down formally as chief of the Army Staff. This is an important part of the process that President Musharraf has told me he wants to take to rapidly restore constitutional order.

"We understand the threat to Pakistan's peace and security but I have urged President Musharraf to use the normal democratic processes to respond," Brown said.

The British Prime Minister noted that Commonwealth leaders last week suspended Pakistan from the 53-nation grouping until it had restored democracy.
   
"Most importantly, it is essential that preparations are now put in place for free and fair elections to be held in Pakistan with a level playing field for all political parties," he said.

Britain has been consistently pressing for restoration of democracy and along with America had tried to bring about a deal between President Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto which has now fallen through.