UNI

Washington, Mar 30: The United States has commended Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for having carried out a number of reforms to counter extremism in his country.

Addressing newspersons, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack yesterday praised Gen Musharraf for having instituted ''a number of reforms in reaction to the threat from violent extremism that is resident in Pakistan.''

Violent extremism ''is a direct threat not only to President Musharraf but also to friends and neighbours of Pakistan and in those efforts we certainly do support him,'' he added.

McCormack said, ''he has made certain commitments with respect to the presidential elections that are going to be coming up at the end of the year, but certainly we would hope that he abides by those commitments.'' ''Pakistan is on a different pathway than it was in August of 2001.''

He said President Musharraf had ''accomplished a lot, but there's a lot more left to do. And in that task, certainly we stand with President Musharraf and we encourage him in his efforts.''  McCormack said, ''a stable, prosperous, secure Pakistan is obviously in the interests of the United States and the countries of the region.''

He said efforts to encourage economic and political reforms and improving relations between different countries in South Asia are important to the US.

''President Musharraf's efforts in this regard are critical not only to Pakistan's future, but of the entire region,'' he added.