Asif Ali Zardari
Co-Chairperson
Pakistan People’s Party
Bilawal House
Karachi

Mian Nawaz Sharif
Leader
Pakistan Muslim League (N)
1 Model Town
Lahore

Dear Mr. Zardari and Mr. Sharif:

During Pakistan’s pre-election period, Human Rights Watch documented problems related to violence, intimidation and threats against candidates and party members, lack of judicial independence, restrictions on the media, lack of independence of the election commission and related personnel, and concerns about pre-poll rigging. Election observers such as the European Union documented credible reports of ballot-stuffing, harassment of opposition candidates and other serious procedural irregularities on polling day. These included a widespread failure to display parliamentary constituency results with a breakdown of polling stations – a pre-requisite for electoral transparency.

Despite these electoral problems, the ruling party suffered a serious defeat, indicative of popular dissatisfaction with the abusive system of governance the country has experienced in recent years under military and military-backed rule. But with the election results, your parties are positioned to negotiate a transfer of power that will advance Pakistan’s transition to democracy and restore people’s faith in the democratic process. Your parties have provided an important opportunity to start a transition towards a rights-respecting government that abides by the rule of law.

In order to fulfill this obligation, Human Rights Watch calls upon you to communicate to President Pervez Musharraf, the international community and the Pakistani people your commitment to undertake the following measures: