Pakistan's National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the alleged desecration. Pakistan, a strategically importantcountry that is home to one of the world's largest Muslim populations, has been a key cooperatingnation in U.S.-led counterterrorism efforts in South Asia. (7) On October 12, 1999, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen.Pervez Musharraf replaced Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. In the wake of themilitary overthrow of the elected government, Islamabad faced considerable internationalopprobrium and was subjected to automatic coup-related U.S. sanctions under section 508 of theannual foreign assistance appropriations act. The September 2001 terrorist attacks on the UnitedStates and Musharraf's ensuing withdrawal of support for the Afghan Taliban regime, however, hadthe effect of greatly reducing Pakistan's international isolation. While top-tier U.S. emphases in theregion after September 2001 have remained combating religious extremism and ending illicit nuclearweapons proliferation, the United States expresses a strong interest in the improvement of Pakistan'shuman rights situation, especially as regards the restoration and strengthening of the country'scivilian democratic institutions. There exists a debate among analysts over the exigency of thisissue. Some observers urge patience, contending that a "true" democratic system will require timeand that "military-guided" governance is required in an unstable setting and to deter extremistpolitical influences. Others argue that Pakistan's underdeveloped democracy and rule of law arethemselves a central cause of the country's instability. The United States now considers Pakistan to be a vital ally in the international anti-terrorismcoalition. The Bush Administration has refrained from expressing any strong public criticisms ofPakistan's internal political practices, while still asserting that the strengthening of civilian politicalinstitutions in Islamabad is "a requirement for the development of a stable, moderate Islamic state." The 9/11 Commission Report (released in July 2004) claims that -- evenafter acknowledging problems in U.S.-Pakistan relations and President Musharraf's role in them -- "Musharraf's government is the best hope for stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan." 108-458 ), the 108thCongress broadly endorsed this recommendation by calling for long-term and comprehensive U.S.support for the government of Pakistan in an effort to ensure a "stable and secure future" for thatcountry. "Enlightened Moderation". Pakistan People's Party. While maintaining his promise to hold national elections in October 2002, Musharraf spent ensuingyears taking actions that bolstered his ruling position and that of the military. In December 2004, Congress extended the President's waiver authoritythrough FY2006 with the passage the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004( P.L.
Pakistan is a strategically important country and home to one of the world's largest Muslimpopulations. In October 1999, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen. Pervez Musharraf replaced PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. Following the military overthrow of an electedgovernment, Islamabad faced considerable international opprobrium and was subjected to automaticcoup-related U.S. sanctions. The September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States andMusharraf's ensuing withdrawal of support for the Afghan Taliban regime, however, had the effectof greatly reducing Pakistan's international isolation. Congress temporarily removed restrictions,and large-scale U.S. aid to the country resumed, in late 2001. The United States views Pakistan asa vital ally in the international anti-terrorism coalition. The Bush Administration refrains fromexpressing any significant public criticisms of Pakistan's internal political practices, while stillasserting that the strengthening of civilian political institutions in Islamabad is "a requirement forthe development of a stable, moderate Islamic state."
While top-tier U.S. emphases in the region after September 2001 remain combating religiousextremism and ending illicit weapons proliferation, the United States expresses a strong interest inthe improvement of Pakistan's human rights situation, especially as regards the restoration andstrengthening of democratic institutions. There is a debate among analysts over the exigency of thisissue. Some observers urge patience, contending that a "true" democratic system will require timeand that "military-guided" governance is required in an unstable setting and to deter extremistpolitical influences. Others argue that Pakistan's underdeveloped democracy and rule of law arethemselves a central cause of the country's instability.
October 2002 general elections nominally fulfilled President Musharraf's promise to restorethe National Assembly that was dissolved after his extra-constitutional seizure of power. Apro-military alliance won a plurality of seats while a coalition of Islamist parties made a surprisinglystrong showing. Yet subsequent developments -- including an agreement between Musharraf andthe Islamist opposition to bring controversial constitutional changes before Parliament, a brokenpromise from Musharraf to resign his military commission before 2005, and widespread accusationsof rigging in August 2005 municipal elections -- have fueled concerns that Pakistan's civiliandemocratic institutions are being weakened. National and provincial level elections are to take placein 2007.
The 9/11 Commission Report called Musharraf's government the "best hope" for stability inPakistan and Afghanistan, and recommended the provision of long-term and comprehensive supportto Pakistan so long as its government remains committed to combating extremism and to a policyof "enlightened moderation." In passing the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of2004 ( P.L. 108-458 ), Congress broadly endorsed this recommendation and sought to encouragePakistan's transition to full democracy. The act also extended the President's authority to waivecoup-related sanctions on Pakistan through FY2006. See also CRS Issue Brief IB94041, Pakistan-U.S. Relations and CRS Report RL32259 , Terrorism in South Asia . This report will beupdated periodically.