By DPA
Islamabad : The US embassy in Islamabad Monday expressed “serious concern” about the arrest of opposition leaders as legislators prepared to vote on President Pervez Musharraf’s re-election bid and called for their swift release.
The reported arrest of at least four key figures in an opposition alliance as well as dozens of activists was “extremely disturbing and confusing for the friends of Pakistan”, a statement said.
The detainees should be released as soon as possible, it added, with a call for a “fair, free, transparent election process, that respects the constitution, gives Pakistani citizens choices, and respects their decisions, continues without any impediment.”
Musharraf, a crucial US ally in counter-terrorism efforts, will seek a further five-year term from parliament and provincial assemblies in a scheduled Oct 6 vote likely to be dominated by loyal forces.
Opposition parties have threatened mass resignations of their members from parliament before the election.