US, UK regret Musharraf decision

Istanbul/London/New Delhi : The United States yesterday said it was "deeply disturbed" that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had declared emergency rule, calling it a step backwards for democracy.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described Musharraf's move as "highly regretable" and told CNN during a visit to Turkey that she hoped Pakistan's intention was to have free and fair elections.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement that Musharraf had promised to hold elections in January and the United States urged him to do so.

"The United States is deeply disturbed by reports that Pakistani President Musharraf has taken extra-constitutional actions and has imposed a state of emergency," McCormack said.

"A state of emergency would be a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule."

"The United States stands with the people of Pakistan in supporting a democratic process and in countering violent extremism," McCormack said in his statement.

"We urge all parties to work together to complete the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence or delay," he said.

London's concern

Britain expressed "grave concern" over Pakistan's declaration of a state of emergency yesterday. "I am gravely concerned by the measures adopted today," British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement.

Indian leaders reacted with concern yesterday, calling for a speedy return to "normalcy" and "democracy" in their nuclear-armed neighbour.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to asses the situation, the foreign ministry said.

Neighbour watching

"We regret the difficult times that Pakistan is passing through," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna.

"We trust that conditions of normalcy will soon return permitting Pakistan's transition to stability and democracy to continue," he said. India's junior foreign minister Anand Sharma, meanwhile, said New Delhi wanted democracy to be restored in Pakistan.

Political parties allied to premier Singh's Congress party-ruled coalition government reacted sharply to the imposition of emergency rule.

India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party prodded New Delhi to react strongly to the developments.

The development also triggered concern in India's military establishment, prompting a "state of vigil" alert along a militarised border in disputed Kashmir, government officials said.

"A state of vigil has now been sounded along the LoC [Line of Control] and elsewhere in Kashmir and we are watching the situation very closely," a senior Kashmir military commander said.