The US expects Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to hold "free and fair" elections in 2007 so that his country could be put on the path of 'full democracy', said US Ambassador in Islamabad Ryan C Crocker.
General elections are slated to take place in Pakistan next year.
Crocker said that Musharraf had "assured" Washington about the same.
"We have talked about this issue in Washington and he assured us that he will hold free and fair election next year.
What concerns us is a free and fair election and President Musharraf has given a clear commitment about it," the Dawn quoted the ambassador as saying while addressing a press conference.
Ahead of the next general elections in Pakistan, there is a general feeling in the country that the polls would be rigged and that prominent political leaders, including Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto would not be allowed to return and participate in the polls.
Political analysts and commentators say that Musharraf would try to have another term of presidency in the next polls.
Musharraf himself has not said in clear terms whether he would step down as President or he would continue for another term.
{{/usCountry}}Musharraf himself has not said in clear terms whether he would step down as President or he would continue for another term.
{{/usCountry}}On several occasions in the recent past he said that he would decide regarding this at the opportune time.