Keeping up the pressure, the United States on Sunday asked embattled Pakistan President Pervez Musharaff to end the state of emergency, saying it was not compatible with holding free and fair polls. The US also prodded him to restart dialogue with Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who had a two-hour-long meeting with Musharraf in Islamabad on Saturday, told reporters that he had asked the military ruler to lift emergency, step down as army chief as soon as possible and free all political prisoners and human rights activists.
"Emergency rule is not compatible with free, fair and credible elections," said Negroponte in Islamabad on Saunday.
Recent police actions against protesters, suppression of the media, and arrests of political and human rights leaders could undermine Pakistan's transition to a moderate and democratic nation, he said.
"I urged the government of Pakistan to stop such actions, lift the state of emergency, and release all political detainees," said Negroponte, the first senior US official to visit Pakistan after imposition of emergency on November 3.
"If these steps aren't taken, it will undermine the government's ability to conduct satisfactory elections."
There was no indication that Musharraf would heed the US' advice. The general, during his talks with Negroponte, had made it clear that he needed the measure to fight extremists and conduct free and fair elections.