Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Galloway who represent Respect Party in the British Parliament, said Pakistan’s salvation was in democracy and without it the country cannot progress and prosper.

He recalled his old association with Pakistan and his efforts for the restoration of democracy and the cause of Kashmir in 90s for which he was awarded Hilal-e-Pakistan and Hilil-e-Quaid-e-Azam and said he retains his passion and love for the South Asian country which began with his association with former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Galloway, MP for ethnic populated constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow in East London, said democracy was must for Pakistan to turn the tide of extremism and terrorism.

He appreciated the formation of the coalition government and said although it was faced with great challenges, he was hopeful  that the democratic forces would be able to surmount these difficulties.

Well known for his opposition to the war in Iraq and his pro-Palestine and Kashmir stances, the maverick MP, said he intends to visit Pakistan sometime next month to renew his acquaintances with the country.

He pleaded for independence of judiciary and rule of law and said without these two characteristics, democracy cannot flourish.

Galloway who is also contesting for London Assembly in May 1 elections, called upon the ethnic community to exercise their right of franchise in a bold way and block the way for such forces with anti-minority policies.

Announcing his support for sitting Mayor of London Ken Livingstone for the Mayoral election, also due on May 1, he said Ken was the friend of the minority communities and was for multiculturalism but he was up against a vociferous campaign by a certain section of the English media.

He said election of  Boris Johnson would spell disastrous for the ethnic community of London as it would suffer under the Conservative Party candidate.  He said the right wing British National Party has also selected Johnson as its second preferential candidate.

Furthermore, he warned that the Jewish lobby was also working against the election of Ken Livingstone because of his support for the Muslim community of the capital. He said long time ambition was to become the Mayor of London, thought to be the second most powerful position in UK after the Prime Minister.

He called on the Muslim voters and said their 500,000 votes were crucial for his and that of Livingstone’s election. Galloway said he has moved an Early Day Motion in the British Parliament to discuss issue relating to the catering industry which has been adversely affected by the decision of the British Government to introduce points-based immigration laws in the country.

He said curry industry which adds five billion pounds to the British economy annually was mainly reliant on chefs from the Indian sub-continent and without these skilful cook, the industry was in a danger of collapse.

Galloway said after securing 100 votes in the Parliament, he intend to take up the issue with the Immigration Minister to bring about change in the law to enable the current workers to renew their work visa in UK without returning to their home countries.