War on terror more important than democracy in Pakistan

President George W. Bush has once again waived democracy-related restrictions on Pakistan, enabling the country to continue to receive U.S. assistance.

In a recent waiver, Bush certified that Pakistan qualified for exemption from provisions of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act 2005.

This recently promulgated act prohibits direct U.S. assistance to a country where an elected head of government was deposed by decree or military coup.

In the waiver notification, Bush observed that lifting the restriction 'would facilitate the transition to democratic rule in Pakistan; and is important to United States efforts to respond to, deter, or prevent acts of international terrorism.'

Musharraf, who was the chief of the Pakistan army, came to power in October 1999 by toppling a popularly elected prime minister, Nawaz Sharif. There was no resistance to the coup although Sharif had a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly because many Pakistanis considered him corrupt and inefficient.

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