ISLAMABAD, 13 March 2003 — Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali’s call to give Iraq more time to disarm was hailed by Pakistanis yesterday as “on the right track.”
Newspapers welcomed the prime minister’s anti-war stance.
“The Jamali government is on the right track and in right company,” the Dawn daily wrote in its editorial.
The Daily Times newspaper said Jamali was correct to avoid giving a clear statement on how or whether Pakistan will vote. “At times not expressing a clear opinion is the best option,” it commented.
It said that President Pervez Musharraf was right to lament, during a US television interview, Pakistan’s position of being on the council as it debates whether to authorize war.
“One can only agree with Gen. Musharraf when he says that being a member of the Security Council at this stage is pure bad luck,” the daily said.
The resolution drawn up by the United States, Britain and Spain needs the support of nine council members. Pakistan is one of six states yet to categorically show its hand.
PML-Q Sen. Mushahid Hussain said Jamali’s speech was a “clear indication ... that Pakistan will abstain from the vote.”
Political analyst Mohammad Afzal Niazi said Pakistan was keeping its options open until the last minute, when the level of US pressure would determine its hand.
