Musharraf begins EU tour

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Agencies

Posted online: Monday , January 21, 2008 at 10:52:08
Updated: Monday , January 21, 2008 at 11:08:05

London, January 21: President Pervez Musharraf has embarked on a four-nation European visit to bolster Pakistan's image amid a demand from Amnesty International that he take immediate measures to end human rights violations in Pakistan.

Musharraf arrived on Sunday in Brussels, capital city of Belgium and met members of the Pakistani community. His official programme starts on Monday as he is scheduled to visit Britain, France and Switzerland.

"The eight-day visit to Brussels, Paris, London and Davos is a wholesome package, with focus on improving Pakistan's image and removing certain misperceptions," Musharraf said shortly before his departure from Islamabad on Sunday.

Coinciding with his visit, the Amnesty International, the global human rights body urged the European leaders to prevail upon Musharraf to end human rights violations in Pakistan.

"As Musharraf embarks on a tour of Europe.., those who meet him have both the responsibility and opportunity to demand that his government bring an end to the human rights violations in Pakistan," Amnesty Secretary General Irene Khan said in a statement.

"Arbitrary arrests, detentions, enforced disappearances, and torture and ill-treatment - coupled with pervasive political violence undermine the prospect of free and fair elections planned in February, she said.

"Amnesty International has collected a wealth of evidence on human rights violations and the breakdown of rule of law, which are sowing the seeds of a political catastrophe, with devastating consequences for ordinary people.

"The international community must give a clear and unequivocal message to President Musharraf that restoring respect for human rights and the rule of law is key to establishing confidence of in the forthcoming elections and arresting the spate of political violence in Pakistan.

Pakistan is slated to go to polls on February 18.

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Pakistan has been exposed by Paramjit Bahia on 21 Jan 2008

Mush appears to be living in a mad world of his own. How can anybody possibly improve image of failed fanatically religious and terrorist state of Pakistan? Gone are the days when their evil nature and terrorism against India was protected by UK USA and China. But since Islamic Fundamentalist Terrorists have started biting the very American and British hands that fed them, now ordinary people in the West are aware about how evil Pakistan really is. Brown and his master Bush may have soft spot for Pakistan in their hearts but people in the UK are not too keen.

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Musharaf is out of town.... by P.Zipk on 21 Jan 2008

Now is the best time for another coup!

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