Pakistan to end state of emergency early

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The imposed state of emergency in Pakistan will be lifted a day earlier than originally planned this month, President Pervez Musharraf confirmed Sunday.

Confirming a report of the new cut-off date for the security effort, Musharraf said the state of emergency he imposed last month will now be lifted Saturday instead of next Sunday, the BBC reported.

Musharraf invoked the state of emergency in Pakistan after tense social conflict gripped the Asian country.

Musharraf, who has since left his dual post as the head of the country's army, did not offer a reason for lifting the state of emergency a day early.

The BBC said his confirmation came a day after Pakistani Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum informed the media the government would lift the imposed security measure ahead of schedule.