ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: Pakistan has asked foreign diplomats stationed here not to publicly comment on the domestic political situation, officials said on Sunday.

The advice came after ambassadors of the United States and European Union member countries last week held a series of talks with Pakistani opposition leaders and gave on-spot television interviews after the meetings.

“We have no objection to their meeting with anyone, but diplomats should not make public comments after such meetings,” foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told AFP.

“We expect them to follow the standard behaviour and diplomatic etiquettes,” Sadiq said.

He added that it was general advice and whenever there is a violation diplomats are summoned and told not to interfere.

President Pervez Musharraf sacked senior judges, suspended the Constitution and imposed the emergency rule on November 3 fearing an adverse court ruling on his presidential election candidacy.

The hand-picked judiciary later validated Musharraf’s election and his imposition of emergency last month.

Musharraf said that the emergency rule was needed to tackle rising militancy in the country.

The general election is scheduled for January 8 amid talks of a boycott by opposition parties who fear that the polls would be rigged.—AFP