Pakistani Americans laud Musharraf's move

Imtiaz Syed, a prominent community activist, said it was the strength of the uniform that disciplined the country.

Pakistani Americans have welcomed President Pervez Musharraf's move not to resign as head of the armed forces in December 2004 as promised earlier, reports Online news agency.

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They were reacting to Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed's announcement that Pakistan's political situation required Musharraf to serve both as president and head of the armed forces.

Imtiaz Syed, a prominent community activist and a former director general of Pakistan Tourism, said it was the strength of the uniform that disciplined the country and kept a check on the political and administrative mainstream.

Shaukat Sindhu, CEO of the Pakistan American Association of North America (PAANA), said many institutions like steel mills, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the Karachi Port Trust had been making huge losses under democratic governments. But during Musharraf's rule, these were making yearly profits of Rs.3 million to Rs.7 millions, he added.

Sindhu said Musharraf had done a great job in projecting a positive image of Pakistan. He had strengthened the country's economic affairs and has leadership quality.