Civilian govt best form of governance for Pak: US

US rules out support to any military coup after MQM leader called for martial rule in the country

Ruling out support to any military coup in Pakistan,the US has said a civilian government is the best form of governance in this South Asian country right now.

“Pakistan has a civilian government and we think it is the best form of government to take,” State Department spokesman,P J Crowley,told reporters at his daily news conference.

Early this week,a Pentagon spokesman too had ruled out supporting any military coup in Pakistan; a country which has been under military rule for the major part of its post-independence history.

The statements from the State Department came in the wake of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain calling for martial rule in the country alleging that the democratically elected civilian government of Pakistan has failed to deliver in the wake of the devastating flood that has engulfed the nation and affected more than 20 million people.

US officials pointed out that the Obama Administration under no circumstances support any takeover of governance by the military.

Officials said the entire effort of this administration is to promote democracy and strengthen democratic institutions.

The Kerry Lugar Berman Bill,which assures USD 7.5 billion civilian aid to Pakistan in five years also has direct reference to strengthening democracy in the country and is a deterrent against military rule.