by Qaiser Felix

The US Bishops’ Conference has lent its support to the Pakistani bishops appeal for an end to the state of emergency still in force throughout the country, and urge the US State Department to intervene in favour of re-establishing democracy.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) – The US Bishop’s Conference supports the Pakistani bishops appeal for an end to emergency rule, and has guaranteed its solidarity for the Catholics in the Asian nation.  The American bishops are also asking for US Secretary, Condoleezza Rice, to take steps to” restore democracy; free media and judiciary in Pakistan”.

On Nov. 23, Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference (PCBC) held a special session to discuss the situation in the country about imposition of emergency imposed by president Musharraf twenty days before. The prelates condemned the growing militancy, curbs on media, free expression and political unrest in the country.

The Bishops observed with “deep concern” the social implications of the current crises which has “has worried Pakistanis, at home and abroad, about the stability and peaceful transition of democracy”. The Bishops expressed their “shock and condemnation over the attacks on civil society for merely expressing their right of conscience and free expression”. Concluding the Bishops Conference launched an appeal to the government “for the restoration of fundamental rights and the independence of the judiciary as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all detained lawyers, political activists, students and human rights activists as well as the constitution of an independent, credible and acceptable Election Commission to counter the the reign of terror of across the country”.

• pakistan
• US
• bishops
• appeal
• state
• of
• emergency
• judiciary
• detainees
• release