US lawmakers not optimistic of developments in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Top law makers in the United States Senate are not too optimistic of the developments in Pakistan and are stressing that the focus ought to be on the forthcoming elections especially the extent of political participation.

"I don't think things are back to normal but they are improving. Those are two good steps," the Ranking Republican in the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Arlen Specter said referring to the Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf doffing his uniform and announcing that elections will be held on January 8, 2008.

"But let's see what those elections are going to bring. Musharraf now has competition," the Pennsylvania Republican remarked on CNN's Late Edition.

"I think it is very important that Pakistan maintain its Democratic institutions. They're fragile. They're not longstanding. But let's see what those elections bring and let's see what Musharraf's political opponents can do, including Benazir Bhutto," Senator Specter said.

The Democratic Chair of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee Senator Carl Levin expressed similar apprehensions when asked if he had confidence in Musharraf.

"I'm hopeful. I wouldn't say that I'm overly confident that those elections will be free, but hopefully they will be, that the -- not only Bhutto but also Sharif will participate and that they will be free and fair elections. It is essential for Pakistan that that happens," Senator Levin added.