WASHINGTON, March 16: The United States urged Pakistan on Friday to ensure that journalists and media organisations were free to carry out their professional duties. “Journalists and televisions institutions should be free to air events without repercussions,” a State Department official told Dawn.

Acknowledging that “Pakistan has a lively press and strong civil society”, the official said the US was concerned about the unrest and incidents of violence towards the media.

“We continue to monitor the situation,” said the official. “We are encouraged by the recent media reports that President Musharraf has condemned the attacks.”

The United States, she said, had a well-established position on freedom of the press and peaceful freedom of expression.

In an earlier statement, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack described the suspension of the Chief Justice as “a matter of deep concern” and urged Pakistan to handle the situation in an above-board and open way.

“It is essential for any developing democracy to adhere to the rule of law and conduct any investigations ... in a clear, above-board, transparent manner that strictly accords with Pakistan's laws,” he said.

Mr McCormack declined to say whether Washington believed Gen Musharraf had handled the case incorrectly so far but said that US officials had raised the issue with Pakistan's government and would continue to closely monitor what was happening.

AFP adds: “What we would urge in this case is that both sides exercise the utmost degree of restraint in seeking to reduce the opportunity for violent clashes between protestors and police,” Mr McCormack said.

“Protestors should be able to exercise their right to freely voice their opinions with respect to political matters and police have a job to do as well,” he said.

“We would just urge that in doing that job, they allow for the free protest and that neither side take actions that would deliberately provoke the other into a violent confrontation,” he said.

Mr McCormack avoided criticism and strongly praised Musharraf, saying: “President Musharraf is a good friend and ally in the war on terror, he has a vision for Pakistan in terms of political and economic and social reforms and he is proceeding along that pathway.”

“Is there more to do? Yes, absolutely,” he said.

“But President Musharraf is acting in the best interests of Pakistan and the Pakistani people,” he said.