India's response on Pak emergency 'disappointing': Asma

NEW DELHI: Disappointed by the response in India over imposition of emergency in her country, noted Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jahangir has criticised New Delhi for not doing enough to promote democracy beyond its borders.

Under house arrest since emergency was imposed on November 3, Jehangir was also not impressed by President Pervez Musharraf's announcement to hold elections by January 9, saying it was a "cruel joke" aimed at "appeasing" the West.

"I am very disappointed by the response of Indian civil society. There should have been demonstrations, more protests from Bar Association and other groups. I expected a huge meeting in India to protest against what is happening here," she said over phone from Lahore.

Jahangir said she welcomed the statements by Bar Association of India and by former Prime Minister I K Gujral representing South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR).

However, she was not happy with Indian government for regarding emergency as "internal matter" of Pakistan. "I did not expect anything else from the government. New Delhi has always been cautious in its approach," she said in an apparent sarcastic tone.

"New Delhi has never been a supporter of democracy beyond Indian borders even though it has done a lot to promote it within the country," Jehangir said and cited India's "weak" position on Myanmar and Nepal to press her argument.

The people in Pakistan "envy" India's democracy but at the same time, they expect New Delhi to do more for its cause around the world, she said.