HC Deb 27 June 2000 vol 352 cc446-7W
Mr. Love

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made regarding the re-establishment of democratic Government in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [127836]

Mr. Hain

Although we cannot endorse the recent ruling by Pakistan's Supreme Court that last October's coup was legitimate, we have noted the Court's ruling that national elections should be held within three years. We are encouraged that General Musharraf has apparently accepted this. We have continued to urge Pakistan's military to announce a clear and credible timetable for the transition to full democracy, most recently when the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office met his Pakistani counterpart on 22 June.

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