US warned over backing for Musharraf

When Boucher comes, the US must make a strong statement demanding the return of democracy. It’s not possible for the US to continue justifying a uniformed president heading a democracy. It’s a joke on democracy.”

Although this week’s searing heat, at times topping 50°C (122°F) in Lahore, has kept the crowds off the streets, the government remains shaken by the scale of recent protests against Gen Musharraf’s March 9 suspension of Iftikhar Chaudhary, the chief justice.

Analysts have warned that any signal from Washington of unconditional support could encourage Gen Musharraf to impose a state of emergency.

“Should this happen, Pakistanis would perceive the US as an impediment to, rather than a supporter of, democracy, and it would lose all remaining vestiges of credibility in the country,” the International Crisis Group, an advocacy group, warned.