Brussels, 21/08/2014 (Agence Europe) - Concerned by the political crisis in Pakistan, the European Union called on all parties, on Wednesday 20 August, to act responsibly and refrain from violence. “We reiterate our conviction that the current impasse should be resolved peacefully through dialogue within the framework of the Constitution” of Pakistan, added the spokesperson to the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton.
“Consolidation of democracy remains one of the European Union's top priorities in Pakistan, as supported by the EU election observation missions and development programmes to strengthen parliamentary institutions and support electoral reform”, the spokesperson stressed. Two figures in the Pakistani opposition - former cricket star Imran Khan and the religious leader Tahir ul-Qadri - believe that the election of Nawaz Sharif to the head of the majority government in May 2013 was tarnished by fraud on a massive scale. The international observers validated the elections, which were described as credible in spite of a few irregularities (see EUROPE 10844). On 19 August, thousands of supporters of the two opponents got into the red area where the country's government is housed, to call for Prime Minister Sharif to step down.
Ashton's spokesperson stressed that the EU's strong commitment to the “economic prosperity of a democratic Pakistan”, as reflected in the increased market access to the EU enjoyed by Pakistan under the “GSP+” arrangements. (CG)