U.S. lawmakers visit Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Four Republican members of the U.S. Congress met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to urge the restoration of democracy.

Led by Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the delegation Friday urged Musharraf to hold free and fair parliamentary elections in January, the Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported Saturday.

U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson accompanied Corker and Reps. David Dreier and Darrell Issa, both of California, and Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina. The four serve on key congressional committees including appropriations, foreign affairs and armed services.

Meeting with Musharraf in Rawalpindi, the delegation also discussed U.S.-Pakistani relations, terrorism and recent political developments in Pakistan, where Musharraf declared emergency rule last month.