Washington: The US has stuck to its stand and made it clear that President Pervez Musharraf must end the emergency "immediately" as there cannot be meaningful elections in Pakistan with restrictive rules in place. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said the US wants reconciliation between the military ruler and moderate forces as that was the only way for a free and fair future for the country.

She maintained that the Bush administration is still in the process of reviewing aid to Pakistan but argued that there has been a lot of movement going on in Pakistan in becoming a "more moderate state".

"... Remember, Pakistan is a sovereign country. The President can urge President Musharraf to take a different course. We believe that the only way that Pakistan is going to have a free and fair future is if they can try to cultivate these moderate forces and bring them together. That's why we ve encouraged open dialogue," Perino said aboard Air Force One taking President George W Bush to Richmond, Virginia.

"There's going to be the elections. We do not believe that elections can be free and fair if you re under a situation where the media is not allowed to report on the issues of the day and people aren't allowed to campaign", she said. Perino said the US has been asking the Pakistan Government to lift emergency, but can not predict when it would be lifted.

"I don't have a date to give you. I can tell you that the President is urging the lifting of the emergency order as -- immediately, and the release of people who have been detained who were trying to express their views," she added.

Source : PTI