A Pakistani doctor living in Galway has echoed Deputy Michael D Higgins' call for Ireland to act on the situation in Pakistan.

Dr Shaukat Durrani, a surgeon who works in University Hospital Galway, spoke to the Galway Independent on behalf of the Pakistani community in the city.

He said he and his colleagues and friends were "very concerned" about what is happening in Pakistan. "What this guy [President Pervez Musharraf] is doing is totally unacceptable ? human rights are in bits. My family is in Pakistan and they can't even go out. If the EU can raise the issue and pressurise the government, that would be great." Dr Durrani said he had considered returning to Pakistan many times but the political situation meant there was no prospect of this.

Galway TD and Labour Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Michael D Higgins has asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, to call a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on the situation in Pakistan.

He also called attention to the international concerns regarding the threat of nuclear weapons in Pakistan, and said the international community could not turn a blind eye to the developments.

Minister of State for Development and Human Rights Micheál Kitt told the Galway Independent that he is awaiting reports from Pakistan to decide whether or not his department will be giving any aid if the situation gets worse.

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