Sharif's party slams Bush for backing Musharraf

Islamabad: A key party in Pakistan's ruling coalition criticised US President George W. Bush on Saturday for lending support to beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf.

Bush telephoned Musharraf on Friday and backed his "continuing role" in promoting Pakistan's ties with the United States, the White House said.

A spokesman for the party of Nawaz Sharif, whose government was ousted by Musharraf's 1999 coup and is now the second-largest in the ruling coalition, said yesterday that Bush's call could harm Pakistan-US relations.

"He should have advised Musharraf to step down. This would have earned a lot of respect for President Bush and the United States of America in the hearts and minds of the people of Pakistan," Sadiqul Farooq said.

Defence ties

Defence ties between Pakistan the United States will remain strong through the next administration despite tough talk from US presidential candidates looking to review the relationship, an official said yesterday.

Tariq Majeed, chairman of Pakistan's joint chiefs of staff committee, said the common goal of fighting terrorism will be the basis of the relationship between the two countries.

Republican nominee John McCain has said that the United States must work with the Pakistan government to stamp out extremist-run training camps inside Pakistan.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he would be willing to attack Al Qaida inside Pakistan without Pakistani approval.