BRUSSELS, Feb 22: The European Union urged Pakistan on Friday to move quickly to form a new government and called for the immediate release of political prisoners.

A statement from the Slovenian EU presidency welcomed the holding of parliamentary elections last Monday and said they provided a basis for a new democratic development.

“The EU hopes to see swift moves towards the formation of a stable and functional government,” it said.

The government would need to address issues such as strengthening the democratic system, reestablishment of an independent judiciary, respect for human rights, and regional peace and stability, the statement said.—Reuters