Islamabad, Dec 7: The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Robert Brinkley, has stressed the need for a level-playing field for all the political parties to contest the forthcoming elections in order to ensure fairness of the poll process.

He further said democracy was about so much more than just elections.

Brinkley said it was about strong institutions: A judiciary free from influence or manipulation, and a free media, both scrutinising the actions of the politicians and it was about guaranteeing the rights of citizens, including women and minority groups.

"I make no apology for speaking out in favour of democracy in Pakistan. Each country must make its own internal politics arrangements, according to the traditions and norms of its society, " he said while addressing the sixth session of the Youth Parliament Pakistan, launched by PILDAT, here.

Brinkley added that the usual way of doing this was free and fair elections and such elections was the mechanism by which people exercised control over their elected representatives and also held them to account for their actions.

Talking about prospects of democracy in Pakistan, he said the future of democracy was bright, as Musharraf has announced election date and had also promise to lift emergency on December 16.

Commenting on the war on terrorism, Brinkley said the UK had never used the term ‘ War on Terrorism’ and neither a specific definition of the terrorism was presented yet by anyone in the world.

"UK believes that army is not the only option to encounter terrorism in any part of the world, as UK believed in dialogues, " he said.

However, suicide attacks are increasing in numbers. So, UK and Pakistan should work together to stop suicide attacks in both countries, " The Nation quoted him, as saying. (ANI)