Islamabad, Nov 5 : Expressing its deep concern over the Pakistan Government’s move to suppress the media, the US has urged the Musharraf regime to immediately permit broadcasters to resume their programming and quickly lift detention orders.

“We urge the Pakistan Government to quickly lift the detention orders and immediately permit broadcasters to resume their programming, thereby ensuring that all citizens can take a constructive role in peaceful progress toward democratic elections,” the US embassy said in a statement.

“The US Government is gravely concerned about orders by the Pakistan Government to suppress the news media and to detain lawyers, politicians, human rights activists, and others during the Proclamation of Emergency,” it further said.

The US has also made it clear that such extreme and unreasonable measures are clearly not in Pakistan's best interest, and contradict the progress Pakistan has made toward becoming a fully democratic society.

On Saturday, US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said, “ The US is deeply disturbed by reports that Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has taken extra-constitutional actions and has imposed a state of emergency.”

McCormarck urged all parties to work together to complete the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence or delay. (ANI)