The U.S. government is criticizing the imposition of emergency rule in Pakistan, and has urged President Pervez Musharraf to quit his military post.
President Bush said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called General Musharraf Monday to say that Washington expects him to hold elections as soon as possible. Mr. Bush added that Rice also told the general that he should step down from his role as military chief.
In remarks to reporters, Mr. Bush said General Musharraf has been a leader against extremists and radicals.
He noted that U.S. officials urged General Musharraf not to impose a state of emergency, saying it would undermine democracy. Mr. Bush also called for a quick return to democracy in Pakistan.
Separately, a Supreme Court justice in Pakistan (Khalilur Rehman Ramday) said several of his colleagues tried -- but failed -- to strike down the general's order of emergency rule.
In another development, the European Union Monday said it is reviewing its financial assistance to Pakistan.
Earlier, Rice said the U.S. is also reviewing its aid to the nation.
The United States has given Pakistan more than 10 billion dollars since 2001, mostly to support Pakistan's military operations against the al-Qaida terrorist network.
On a visit to China, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates Monday said that while the U.S. reviews aid, officials are mindful not to do anything that would undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
The U.S. has postponed a defense cooperation meeting with Pakistan planned for this week.
Meanwhile, the Dutch government has announced a freeze on aid to Pakistan to show its disapproval of emergency rule.
The British government said it is reviewing its development and aid assistance to Pakistan. But Britain's foreign secretary, David Miliband said Monday Britain does not plan to withdraw aid to Pakistan, saying "now is not the time for threats to aid that is important to the Pakistani people."
Bangladesh's foreign affairs advisor for the caretaker government, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdury said his nation is observing developments in Pakistan. But he added that Bangladesh considers General Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency to be a wholly internal matter.
Germany's foreign minister has called for the return of civilian rule in Pakistan, urging elections to be held in January.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday said he is greatly concerned about the imposition of emergency rule in Pakistan, including the detention of human rights activists.
President Bush said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called General Musharraf Monday to say that Washington expects him to hold elections as soon as possible. Mr. Bush added that Rice also told the general that he should step down from his role as military chief.
In remarks to reporters, Mr. Bush said General Musharraf has been a leader against extremists and radicals.
He noted that U.S. officials urged General Musharraf not to impose a state of emergency, saying it would undermine democracy. Mr. Bush also called for a quick return to democracy in Pakistan.
Separately, a Supreme Court justice in Pakistan (Khalilur Rehman Ramday) said several of his colleagues tried -- but failed -- to strike down the general's order of emergency rule.
In another development, the European Union Monday said it is reviewing its financial assistance to Pakistan.
Earlier, Rice said the U.S. is also reviewing its aid to the nation.
The United States has given Pakistan more than 10 billion dollars since 2001, mostly to support Pakistan's military operations against the al-Qaida terrorist network.
On a visit to China, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates Monday said that while the U.S. reviews aid, officials are mindful not to do anything that would undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
The U.S. has postponed a defense cooperation meeting with Pakistan planned for this week.
Meanwhile, the Dutch government has announced a freeze on aid to Pakistan to show its disapproval of emergency rule.
The British government said it is reviewing its development and aid assistance to Pakistan. But Britain's foreign secretary, David Miliband said Monday Britain does not plan to withdraw aid to Pakistan, saying "now is not the time for threats to aid that is important to the Pakistani people."
Bangladesh's foreign affairs advisor for the caretaker government, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdury said his nation is observing developments in Pakistan. But he added that Bangladesh considers General Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency to be a wholly internal matter.
Germany's foreign minister has called for the return of civilian rule in Pakistan, urging elections to be held in January.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday said he is greatly concerned about the imposition of emergency rule in Pakistan, including the detention of human rights activists.