Washington: Insisting that it is against re-imposition of emergency in Pakistan after the killing of ex-Premier Benazir Bhutto, the US has said it is in touch with a number of countries, including India, seeking promotion of peace and stability and development of political system there.

"We wouldn't want to see a re-imposition of emergency law and I am not aware that in any of our conversations with Pakistani officials anyone has suggested that emergency law or emergency rule might be re-imposed," State Department Deputy spokesman Tom Casey said here yesterday.

On the assassination of former Premier Benazir Bhutto, he said "we certainly, again, continue to express our condolences.... We've continued to encourage calm. And we've of course also reiterated the point that we believe it's important that the political process, the process of developing Pakistan's democracy continue."

"So there have been a number of contacts along the way there. I also know that (Assistant Secretary) Richard Boucher and Under Secretary Nick Burns have been consulting with a number of other countries ..... That certainly have all had an interest in promoting peace and stability, and development of the political system in Pakistan."

"We're all interested in seeing that, in light of this tragic incident, that things still are able to move forward and that Pakistan is able to continue down a democratic path," the senior official said.

"Canadians, French, British, Russians, among others. That's certainly not an exhaustive list, but that's just a few that were mentioned to me.... I believe the Indians have had discussions as well. I'm sure we've also been in contact with the Afghan government and some of the other neighbours of Pakistan," Casey said.

Source : PTI