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Concede election to Karzai - Pakistani Law Makers Urge

by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | September 11, 2009 at 03:36 am

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With election results trickling in and with allegations of ballot stuffing, there is growing concern of Pakistani Law Makers that a drawn out dispute over the election results will destabilize both nations.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been complex. The United States sees the security of Afghanistan and Pakistan linked. The security of both countries is central to quashing the threat of Al Quaeda and the Taliban.

In view of these conditions, Pakistani lawmakers are asking Opposition Leaders in Afghanistan to concede the election to Hamid Karzai. A drawn out dispute will destabilize both countries.

"Whatever is happening there is affecting us, too," said Syed Haider Ali Shah, a Pakistani lawmaker from the Awami National Party, which governs the militant-riddled North West Frontier Province near the Afghan border.

ISLAMABAD -- Some Pakistani lawmakers are urging other candidates to concede to Afghan President Hamid Karzai in last month's elections, amid worries that a drawn-out dispute over the results could destabilize both countries.

Pakistan has a history of troubled and complex relations with neighboring Afghanistan, and the U.S. sees their security as linked -- and central to quashing the Taliban and al Qaeda terrorist threat.

"Whatever is happening there is affecting us, too," said Syed Haider Ali Shah, a Pakistani lawmaker from the Awami National Party, which governs the militant-riddled North West Frontier Province near the Afghan border.