WASHINGTON, Nov 12: The United States has said that it has not “given up” on President Gen Pervez Musharraf, despite his growing unpopularity at home. “No. Absolutely not,” White House Press Secretary Gordon Johndroe said when asked if the Bush administration had given up on Gen Musharraf.

“I think his remarks yesterday were notable for calling for elections early next year, as well as removing the uniform. So we expect him to uphold those commitments that he’s made,” he said.

Mr Johndroe, also the White House deputy spokesman, said the Bush administration officials were also in touch with the PPP on the emerging situation in Pakistan.

“US officials on the ground in Islamabad have been in touch with members of a variety of the political parties, including Bhutto’s. So we are urging all sides to engage in a dialogue, to work through this peacefully and to get to free and fair elections, which is obviously in the best interests of the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Johndroe also stressed the need for dialogue among modern political forces in Pakistan to end the current crisis. “I would also say there are a lot more people involved on the ground than just one person, and the point is that all of these people need to work together,” he said.

The deputy spokesman, at a briefing at Crawford, Texas, said the US financial aid to Islamabad may not be cut as it was aimed at benefiting the people of Pakistan.