Washington, Oct 25 : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that the United States is encouraging Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to work more closely with moderates, including former premier Benazir Bhutto.

Speaking at a US congressional hearing, Rice said the US hopes that "there will be an effort of all moderates to be prepared for fully democratic elections to take place in December, so that Pakistan can take that next step toward a more stable environment.''

Fears about Pakistan's stability were raised last week when a suicide attack on Bhutto during her reception rally in Karachi killed 140 people.

But with encouragement from Washington, both Bhutto and Musharraf are urging voters to support moderates who are willing to take on religious extremism, The News reported. (ANI)