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UK calls for Pakistan elections UK calls for Pakistan elections
(about 3 hours later)
The UK prime minister is calling for "normal democratic and constitutional processes" to be restored and elections to be held in January in Pakistan.The UK prime minister is calling for "normal democratic and constitutional processes" to be restored and elections to be held in January in Pakistan.
It follows President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency.It follows President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency.
Gordon Brown's official spokesman called for "confirmation that elections will be held on schedule in January".Gordon Brown's official spokesman called for "confirmation that elections will be held on schedule in January".
He also confirmed that the UK was "considering the implications for our development and other assistance programme in Pakistan".He also confirmed that the UK was "considering the implications for our development and other assistance programme in Pakistan".
The Department for International Development is currently providing £236m in aid to Pakistan over a three-year period, a figure which is expected to double to £480m over the period from 2008 to 2011.The Department for International Development is currently providing £236m in aid to Pakistan over a three-year period, a figure which is expected to double to £480m over the period from 2008 to 2011.
Emergency decree
The Number 10 spokesman added: "We do want to see the restoration of normal democratic and constitutional processes."The Number 10 spokesman added: "We do want to see the restoration of normal democratic and constitutional processes."
Under the emergency decree, rights have been suspended, the media restricted and opposition leaders arrested.Under the emergency decree, rights have been suspended, the media restricted and opposition leaders arrested.
Threat to democracy EMERGENCY RESTRICTIONS Constitutional safeguards on life and liberty curtailedPolice get wide powers of arrestSuspects can be denied access to lawyersFreedom of movement restrictedPrivate TV stations taken off airNew rules curtail media coverage of suicide bombings or militant activityChief justice replaced, others made to swear oath of loyaltySupreme Court banned from rescinding emergency order class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7077474.stm">In pictures: Emergency rule class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077136.stm">Declaration: Full text class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7078292.stm">US reviews aid package
General Musharraf imposed the state of emergency amid rising Islamic militant violence and ahead of a Supreme Court decision on whether his re-election last month while remaining army chief was valid. General Musharraf imposed the state of emergency amid rising militant violence and ahead of a Supreme Court decision on whether his re-election last month while remaining army chief was valid.
Mr Musharraf said he was imposing the state of emergency in order to curb extremism.Mr Musharraf said he was imposing the state of emergency in order to curb extremism.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the emergency would last for "as long as is necessary", and Islamabad has suggested parliamentary polls scheduled for January could be delayed by up to a year.Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the emergency would last for "as long as is necessary", and Islamabad has suggested parliamentary polls scheduled for January could be delayed by up to a year.
EMERGENCY RESTRICTIONS Constitutional safeguards on life and liberty curtailedPolice get wide powers of arrestSuspects can be denied access to lawyersFreedom of movement restrictedPrivate TV stations taken off airNew rules curtail media coverage of suicide bombings or militant activityChief justice replaced, others made to swear oath of loyaltySupreme Court banned from rescinding emergency order class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7077474.stm">In pictures: Emergency rule class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077136.stm">Declaration: Full text class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7078292.stm">US reviews aid package Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch Brown, speaking at a global strategy forum in London on Monday, said the government was "very distressed and concerned" by the events in Pakistan.
'Retrograde step'
He said both Britain and the United States had made it very clear that it would be "a huge retrograde step and damaging to stability within Pakistan" if it appeared to turn away from "elections and democratisation".
The reassessment of the UK's aid package comes as MPs called for greater pressure to be put on the Pakistani leader.The reassessment of the UK's aid package comes as MPs called for greater pressure to be put on the Pakistani leader.
Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne said Britain could be left isolated if it failed to deal firmly with General Musharraf.Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne said Britain could be left isolated if it failed to deal firmly with General Musharraf.
He told ITV's Sunday Edition: "It is a big mistake for the Government not to put more pressure on General Musharraf because frankly Pakistan is going to have a new democratic regime, there is going to be a change back and we are aligning ourselves with the wrong side." He told ITV's Sunday Edition: "It is a big mistake for the government not to put more pressure on General Musharraf because frankly Pakistan is going to have a new democratic regime, there is going to be a change back and we are aligning ourselves with the wrong side."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "gravely concerned" at the crisis, and the UK would raise its concerns "at the highest level".
He also called for British nationals of Pakistani ancestry to use any contacts they might have to "make the case for democracy and the rule of law".
If the US were to curtail its aid to Pakistan, the country would be heavily hit.If the US were to curtail its aid to Pakistan, the country would be heavily hit.
The nation has received at least US$10bn from the US since it became a close ally in President George W Bush's "war on terror" in 2001.The nation has received at least US$10bn from the US since it became a close ally in President George W Bush's "war on terror" in 2001.