Musharraf calls Democratic leaders amid threat of cut in aid

WASHINGTON: Embattled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has reached out to top leaders in US Congress amid fears that Washington might cut its aid to the Islamic country following imposition of emergency.

Musharraf called the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Lantos and the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Joseph Biden.

"I told President Musharraf how critical it is for relations between our countries that elections go forward as planned in January, that he follow through on his commitment to take off his uniform and that he restore the rule of law in Pakistan.

"It is clear from our conversation that Musharraf understands the consequences for his country and for relations with the United States if he does not return Pakistan to the path of democracy," Senator Biden said in a statement.

Congressman Lantos has not commented on his conversation with Gen Musharraf but will be making his views clear this afternoon when the Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte goes before the House panel.

Negroponte's testimony had been scheduled earlier but assumes significance in light of the developments in Pakistan over the weekend.