US concerned about Bhotto's arrest

Photo: US concerned about Bhotto's arrest

Pentagon leader expressed their concern that the political turmoil in Pakistan could affect the Pakistani army's fight against insurgents along the Afghanistan border, as the U.S. urged the country to end the house arrest of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

"We remain concerned about the continued state of emergency and curtailment of basic freedoms, and urge Pakistani authorities to quickly return to constitutional order and democratic norms," Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council said in a statement Friday.

"Former Prime Minister Bhutto and other political party members must be permitted freedom of movement and all protesters released," said the statement by Johndroe, who accompanied President George W. Bush to the president's Texas ranch.

The administration said it is important for Pakistan's future that moderate political forces be able to work together to put Pakistan back on a path to democracy.