(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-18 17:29

ISLAMABAD -- The visiting US Deputy Secretary of State John D Negroponte on Sunday urged Pakistan to lift emergency, end curbs on media and release the political detainees.

US envoy John Negroponte speaks during a news conference in Islamabad Nov. 18, 2007. Negroponte said on Sunday he has urged Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to end emergency rule, warning it was "not compatible" with free and fair elections due by early January. [Xinhua]

"I urged the government to stop such actions, lift the state of emergency, and release all political detainees. Emergency rule is not compatible with free, fair, and credible elections, which require the active participation of political parties, civil society, and the media," Negroponte said at a news conference at the US embassy in the capital Islamabad early Sunday morning.

"The people of Pakistan deserve an opportunity to choose their leaders free from the restrictions that exist under a state of emergency," he said.

He welcomed President Pervez Musharraf's announcement that elections would take place in January and his commitment to quit the army post before commencing his second term.

"Unfortunately, the recent police actions against protesters, suppression of the media, and the arrests of political and human rights leaders run directly counter to the reforms that have been undertaken in recent years. Their continuation undermines the progress Pakistan has made," Negroponte said.

"A democratic Pakistan that continues the fight against terror is vital to the interests of both the United States and Pakistan. In the current circumstances, engagement and dialogue - not brinkmanship and confrontation - should be the order of the day for all parties," he said.

Musharraf reiterated his vision for a moderate, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan when meeting with Negroponte on Saturday.

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