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UK-Pakistan links 'remain deep' UK-Pakistan links 'remain deep'
(10 minutes later)
The UK government has wished Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf "well in the future", following his resignation.The UK government has wished Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf "well in the future", following his resignation.
A Downing Street spokesman said relations between the countries had "deepened" recently, but added this was "not dependent on one individual".A Downing Street spokesman said relations between the countries had "deepened" recently, but added this was "not dependent on one individual".
Mr Musharraf is facing impeachment over charges including gross misconduct.Mr Musharraf is facing impeachment over charges including gross misconduct.
Stewart Jackson, chairman of the all-party parliamentary Group on Pakistan, said the next president should focus on tackling terrorism.Stewart Jackson, chairman of the all-party parliamentary Group on Pakistan, said the next president should focus on tackling terrorism.
Mr Musharraf made an emotional televised speech announcing that he was stepping down to avoid an impeachment battle that would harm the nation's interests.Mr Musharraf made an emotional televised speech announcing that he was stepping down to avoid an impeachment battle that would harm the nation's interests.
'Support democracy''Support democracy'
A Downing Street spokesman said: "There has been a deepening of UK-Pakistan relations. We wish him [Mr Musharraf] well in the future.A Downing Street spokesman said: "There has been a deepening of UK-Pakistan relations. We wish him [Mr Musharraf] well in the future.
"Our relations are not dependent on one individual."Our relations are not dependent on one individual.
"We support any measures which support democracy and the rule of law.""We support any measures which support democracy and the rule of law."
Mr Jackson, Conservative MP for Peterborough, welcomed the resignation, saying: "I think it is the right thing for him to have done.Mr Jackson, Conservative MP for Peterborough, welcomed the resignation, saying: "I think it is the right thing for him to have done.
"I think it in no way detracts from the strong record he has as being a staunch ally of the West and its fight against Islamic terrorism."I think it in no way detracts from the strong record he has as being a staunch ally of the West and its fight against Islamic terrorism.
"I think the coalition government in Pakistan now needs to focus on two issues - the parlous economic state of the country and working with its allies to combat the ongoing threat of regional terrorism."I think the coalition government in Pakistan now needs to focus on two issues - the parlous economic state of the country and working with its allies to combat the ongoing threat of regional terrorism.
"I think Musharraf's resignation will help the country get away from constitutional questions and back to the bread and butter issues of rebuilding the economy and focusing on security, which are the two most important issues for Pakistan at the moment.""I think Musharraf's resignation will help the country get away from constitutional questions and back to the bread and butter issues of rebuilding the economy and focusing on security, which are the two most important issues for Pakistan at the moment."
Labour MP Mike Gapes, chairman of the Commons foreign affairs select committee, said: "I welcome the fact that this is the culmination of the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.
"And I hope that it will now mean that the new Pakistani government can concentrate on the pressing problems that they face both internally and internationally, and forge better relations with their neighbours."