LAHORE: The US has pressed the Pervez Musharraf regime to conduct 'free and fair' elections in Pakistan.
It also stressed that Pakistan and the US are 'partners in fighting extremism and terrorism'. The statements came on Monday from outgoing US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker, who is moving on to Baghdad.
"Free and fair elections are very important for Pakistan this time... and its friends," Crocker told reporters on Monday on his last visit here.
The ambassador made the comments as he visited the Voter Registration Project, a project contracted by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The $16 million project is supported by the US government as part of an international effort led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Crocker said the US did not interfere in political issues in Pakistan but it was providing all possible technical assistance to the administration to ensure free and fair elections conducted in a transparent manner.
"The international community can assist, but the ultimate responsibility for organising free and fair elections lies with Pakistanis," he said.
Crocker's farewell remarks came even as Pakistan has been protesting against 'violations' on its border with Afghanistan by US-led coalition troops, chasing the Taliban fugitives and Al Qaeda fighters of various nationalities.
There have been cases of firing from across the border, killing at least one Pakistani soldier.
Musharraf has promised elections later this year and has begun campaigning for it, asking people to reject extremists and elect moderates.
But before the elections to parliament and provincial legislatures, he plans to get himself elected to a second term in the presidency, something that the political opposition is trying to counter.
Opposition parties have already begun confabulations at home and in London and Dubai, where two exiled former prime ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, are based.
