By DPA
Washington : The US welcomed Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s announcement that he will end emergency rule on Dec 16.
But the White House said Musharraf, a close US ally in the war on terrorism, must ensure that media can report freely once the decree is lifted and that all candidates can participate in parliamentary elections due in January.
“President Musharraf has indicated that Dec 16 would be the date. And we hope that he follows through on that,” said US President George W. Bush’s spokeswoman Dana Perino Thursday.
“We welcome this step,” she told reporters.
Bush had urged Musharraf against imposing the state of emergency. He also pressed the general to cast off his uniform and step aside as head of the nuclear-armed nation’s military, a step Musharraf took Wednesday.
Musharraf’s decisions this week “are all positive steps that will help get Pakistan back on the pathway to democratic and constitutional rule,” US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday.
The US objected when Musharraf, on shaky political ground, imposed the emergency decree Nov 3 and partially suspended the constitution. The move prompted weeks of violent protests as authorities arrested political dissidents.
McCormack also urged Musharraf to allow election observers to move throughout the country to ensure the poll is free and fair.
“There are still steps left in order to get Pakistan back firmly on that road to constitutional democratic rule,” he said.