LONDON, Nov 22: President Pervez Musharraf has pledged to do his “utmost” to lift a state of emergency before elections, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Thursday.

Speaking shortly before heading for a Commonwealth summit in Uganda, Mr Brown welcomed action to restore normality in Pakistan, but reiterated a call for Islamabad to meet conditions to avoid suspension from the grouping.

“All friends of Pakistan will share our grave concern about the events of the past fortnight,” Brown told reporters, saying he spoke to Gen Musharraf on Wednesday.

“I welcome the action he has started to take to return to Pakistan to normality including setting the election date,” he said.

The Commonwealth gave Gen Musharraf a deadline of Nov 22 to meet five conditions, including lifting the state of emergency and to stand down as army chief, or face suspension from the 53-nation grouping.

“He has assured me that he will do his utmost to lift the state of emergency in time for free and fair elections to be held and to give up his military role and responsibilities as soon as possible,” he said.

But he added that he had “called on him to release remaining political detainees and to fully restore press freedoms.

“Britain will continue to encourage Pakistan to take the steps necessary to ensure a return to the democratic freedoms for which the Commonwealth stands,” he added.—AFP