PM urges Pakistan to hold elections
Gordon Brown has called upon Pakistan to hold "credible elections" and move towards a democratic future following the recent upheaval in the country.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the PM called Pakistan a "key ally in combatting terrorism'' with which Britain shared a "long-standing friendship and shared history''. Mr Musharraf should press ahead with a general election next month, and "ensure the democratic process remains on track", he said.
The PM said:
"I urged President Musharraf to work with all political parties in Pakistan for a peaceful, democratic future for the country and I called on him to continue to promote reconciliation - as I know he wants to do - between moderate forces to unite against the growing threat of violent extremism. For Pakistan, credible elections on 18 Feburary are essential. "
The Prime Minister also acknowledged Pakistan's role in tackling extremist and terrorist groups throughout the region. A "stable" Pakistan was "essential for security" in South Asia, he said.
Mr Musharraf said he had informed Mr Brown that "free, fair and transparent elections" would go ahead in Pakistan as planned. He also said that Pakistan had a "comprehensive strategy" for dealing with terrorism in the country.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated at an election rally in Rawalpindi on 27 December forcing the postponement of January's elections.
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf held talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London on Tuesday, reassuring his host that Pakistan will hold a fair election next month and is ready to continue a sustained fight against terrorism and extremism. 

Gordon Brown
The visit has been widely called President Musharraf's "charm offensive." The Pakistani leader has held talks in Brussels, Paris, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and now in London in an effort which has been seen as an attempt to shore up European support for his government.

His message throughout has been much the same - namely that Pakistan has been successful in fighting Islamic extremists, that his government can sustain that effort, that it has a political strategy to wean local Pakistanis away from extremist ideology and that it is committed to democracy.

Pervez Musharraf
Speaking at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, President Musharraf rejected the notion that his government has failed in its efforts.

"We have not failed. We are going along fighting al Qaida, fighting militant Taleban and fighting Talebanization flowing outside," he said. "And also fighting extremism in some segments of our society in Pakistan."

"The question that needs to be asked is how come if General Musharraf is our best bet to fight terrorism, how come terrorism is increasing by leaps and bounds. Last year was the bloodiest year for Pakistan, culminating in the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto," said Khan. 

President Musharraf's government has come under increasing criticism at home and abroad, and world leaders have repeatedly urged him to move ahead with democratization.

President Musharraf said he reassured Prime Minister Brown about the upcoming vote.

"I did inform the Prime Minister of our strong desire to go forward with the elections and to ensure that elections will be fair, free and transparent," said Mr. Musharraf.

The elections are scheduled for February 18 and opposition politician Imran Khan says they will be vital. He said it is also important that western powers support the process.

"In my opinion the only way forward for Britain and the United States is to back not people, not individuals, not political parties, but the democratic process. They should back free and fair elections in Pakistan. It is the only way out of this quagmire," he said.

Khan was among hundreds of anti-Musharraf protesters outside Prime Minister Brown's offices at Number 10 Downing Street.