Pakistan says liberties restored soon

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The Pakistan Attorney General Saturday said the country would consider lifting the week-old state of emergency in a month if law and order was maintained.

Attorney General Malik Muhammad said the government would restore civil liberties if the situation remained stable, but cautioned martial law could continue for years if national security continued to deteriorate, the Kuwait news agency KUNA reported.

He noted Pakistan's Supreme Court also could resume hearing the challenge to the ability of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to remain military chief while seeking reelection once all the seats on the court were filled.

Some analysts say Musharraf may continue the state of emergency, which also suspends the authority of the Supreme Court, until after the deadline for him to revoke his position as military head expires Nov. 15.

Bowing to international criticism, Musharraf announced general elections scheduled for Feb. 15 and said he would honor the Supreme Court's ruling in the challenge to the elections.