Islamabad: Pakistan today rejected what it termed as "excessive" reactions from the world community on the imposition of emergency, saying the "unwarranted" criticisms showed a lack of understanding of the situation in the country.

President Pervez Musharraf, facing the prospect of being disqualified for a new term by the Supreme Court, suspended constitution and imposed a state of emergency on Saturday. The move evoke worldwide condemnation led by the country's main benefactor, the United States.

"We reject a few of the unwarranted criticism and excessive reactions that clearly betray a lack of understanding of the challenging circumstances faced by the country," a foreign ministry statement said today.

"Our friends abroad need to appreciate that any steps that may add to the difficulties of Pakistan in these critical times could hurt the global interests for security and stability in the region."

Asserting that Musharraf was committed to full civilian democratic rule and holding of elections, the statement said that the Cabinet has already met twice and Parliament convened today to discuss the situation and the way forward to implement a "democratic agenda".

"The international community needed to show understanding of this difficult decision to address an "extraordinary situation", it said. Claiming that the emergency was imposed to avert an "institutional breakdown", the ministry said the decision is, therefore, "in the best national interest". 

Source : PTI