State of Emergency Lifted in Pakistan

On Saturday, President Pervez Musharraf lifted the state of emergency that had been in effect in Pakistan for the last six-weeks. According to the New York Times, Musharraf announced this after passing a plethora of constitutional amendments and decrees, ensuring that his recent actions would not be challenged by the court.

Mr. Musharraf stated that the situation of extreme danger had largely been improved over the course of the last six weeks. Armed militants have been pushed back in the northwest of the country, and free elections would be held across Pakistan in January.

"Today I am feeling very happy that all the promises that I have made to the people. To the country, have been fulfilled," he said.

The New York Times reports that, in repealing the state of emergency, Mr. Musharraf has completed a number of steps demanded by his protesters and the Bush administration to return the country of Pakistan to a state of democracy.