Washington’s message was conveyed to the military ruler by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who also asked Musharraf to quit as Army Chief “as soon as possible” and stop the suppression of the media and arrests of political and human rights leaders.

“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 told an early morning press conference here winding up his visit to Pakistan.

The second highest ranking American diplomat — who held talks on Saturday with the military ruler and Gen Asfaq Pervez Kiyani, who is tipped to succeed Musharraf as Army Chief — said “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.

“I urged the government of Pakistan to stop such actions, lift the state of emergency, and release all political detainees,” he said. “If these steps aren’t taken, it will undermine the government’s ability to conduct satisfactory elections.”

‘Polarised’

Negroponte said he had “encouraged reconciliation between political moderates as the most constructive way forward” but indicated the scenario in Pakistan had “polarised somewhat” due to recent developments like the arrest of thousands of people and former Premier Benazir Bhutto being placed under house arrest twice in five days.

Noting that the best way to counter extremism was to develop and nurture a moderate political centre, he said: “In the current circumstances, engagement and dialogue — not brinkmanship and confrontation — should be the order of the day for all parties.”

Gen’s commitment

During Negroponte’s talks with Musharraf, the General repeated in “categorical terms” his commitment to hold Parliamentary polls in January.

“(Musharraf) also repeated his commitment to retire from his Army Post before commencing his second Presidential term, and we urge him to do so as soon as possible,” Negroponte said.

He pointed out that the police actions against protesters, suppression of the media, and arrests of political and human rights activists could undermine the progress, economic growth and development made by Pakistan in the past few years.