Islamabad, Nov 25 : US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W Patterson has said that efforts of her country to hold fair elections in Pakistan were underway, and the Musharraf regime had been apprised repeatedly that the release of political activists and an end to emergency rule was vital in this respect.

Talking to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) acting President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Patterson said that the Bush Administration was trying its level best to ensure fair elections.

The overall political situation in the country, general elections, return of former premier and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif were among the issues discussed during the meeting, the Online reported.

"We have urged Musharraf to release all political workers, lift curbs on the media, restore civil rights and end emergency rule in the country because the US favours a sustainable democracy," she said.

Hashmi told the US Ambassador that opposition parties would boycott the elections as they were being pushed to the wall and hundreds of political activists and lawyers were still languishing in jails.

Appreciating the US’ role in the release of political activists, Hashmi said fair elections were not possible under Musharraf’s rule.

"I have conveyed to the US Ambassador that fair elections are not possible under Musharraf," Hashmi said. (ANI)