In anticipation of President Bush's visit to Pakistan this past week end, Michael Cromartie , Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom ("USCIRF"), and Elizabeth H. Prodromou, a member of the Commission, on Friday published a call for the President to push Pakistan on issues of religious freedom. In their op ed piece in the Philadelphia Enquirer, also posted on USCIRF's website, they said that Bush should urge Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to repeal unused laws that provide for punishments such as amputation and stoning in conformity with Islamic law; rescind laws that criminalize the public practice of the Ahmadi faith; decriminalize blasphemy; and act to prevent religious violence and punish its perpetrators.
At the leaders' joint news conference on Saturday, President Musharraf answered a question about his efforts to promote democracy in Pakistan. He spoke of promoting freedom of speech and press, and empowerment of women, but not of freedom of religion. Bush's news conference statement said that he had discussed the Muhammad cartoon controversy with Musharraf. Finally, in their Joint Statement issued on Saturday, the Presidents mentioned religious toleration, but not in a manner that directly addressed the concerns of USCIRF. The Statement said: "The two leaders recognize the need to promote tolerance, respect and mutual understanding, and inter-faith harmony to strengthen appreciation of the values and norms common to the world's religions and cultures. The two leaders acknowledge with appreciation the various international initiatives in this regard including President Musharraf's concept of Enlightened Moderation. The two leaders agreed that acts that disturb inter-faith harmony should be avoided."
