We reject Made-in-Washington democracy: Imran Khan

ANTI-US STIR: Pak leader, Imran Khan has slammed US diplomat Negeoponte's visit.

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New Delhi: US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is on a two-day official trip to Pakistan. But his presence in the country at this juncture is unwelcome. There are huge protests in Islamabad asking Negeoponte to go back.

Angry protests against Pervez Musharraf stirred the Pak capital after the General bundled out former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Jeddah on Monday. And now, there are fresh slogans ringing in the streets of Islamabad.

The agitated Pak citizens are demanding an abrupt end to the two-day visit of US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. His presence is being severely criticized and most loudly by the Tehrik-e-Insaaf party, which is resenting a month-long ban on party chief Imran Khan from entering Karachi

“Here he is coming to prop up a military dictator, and then trying to form this dream-team, so called liberal team. Made-in-Washington democracy is being imposed in Pakistan, which we reject," said Imran Khan.

At a time when Musharraf faces new challenges in court because of a petition filed by Nawaz Sharif's family, the US is being seen as his most trusted ally, as it wages war on terror.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said, "There is no doubt whatsoever of Pakistan's commitment to restoring and establishing security in that part of the country and more than doing its share in the war against terror."

Negroponte though has been quite vocal about holding free and fair elections in Pakistan.

“We think it's important that there be a smooth and democratic political transition," he said.

However, amid the simmering political tensions, his presence is a cause of discomfort to Musharraf's opponents. It is widely seen as an effort to strengthen the General's plans for the future.