David Miliband has expressed "grave concern" over the situation in Pakistan following President Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency.

The foreign secretary used a Commons statement on Wednesday to call on Musharraf to declare a specific date for the planned January elections, and ensure "that they are free and that they are fair".

Pakistan's president and army chief was condemned by the international community after suspending the constitution on Saturday.

And Miliband said Pakistan's government must release all the political prisoners, "pursue energetically reconciliation with the political opposition" and lift restrictions on the media.

He also said Musharraf must honour his commitment to stand down as the army's chief of staff by November 15.

Dangerous

Describing the situation as "dangerous, fast moving and important to us here in Britain", he said: "The whole House will, I am sure, share the government's grave concern at these developments.

"The government of Pakistan says they are temporary. It is vital that they are so."

Miliband "deplored" recent terror attacks in the country and said the British government would work with the Pakistani authorities to counter the threat.

"But since the weekend we have seen actions from the government that have set back the process of democratic transition which is essential for the future stability and security, as well as for the sustainable development of Pakistan," he said.

The foreign secretary told MPs that "the stability and development of Pakistan matter to the UK," with the country a "vital partner" in tackling terrorism and extremism internationally and in Britain.

Aid links

He spoke of the partnership between Pakistan and the Department for International Development and said there would be an "expanded programme" from 2008-10, which would see aid doubled.

"We do not want to see these positive developments for the poorest members of Pakistani society put at risk now," he added.

Calling on Musharraf to "fulfil his commitments at this vital time", he said the international community was "following developments closely".

"There is a unanimous view from the international community that democracy and human rights and political freedoms and constitutional rule are the allies of security and stability in Pakistan," he said.

Support

The Conservatives pledged to give the government their "full and strong support" in their demands.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague called on Miliband to "continue to impress on the government of Pakistan that the elections must be free and open and the result upheld".

"The future stability of Pakistan is not only a vital interest of the United Kingdom but is an important matter for the whole world because of Pakistan's central role in the fight against terror, its relation to events in Afghanistan and its possession of nuclear weapons," he said.

"Isn't it the case that we need Pakistan as our ally but we need it as a free, democratic and stable one."

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Michael Moore said his party recognised the security challenges facing Pakistan but condemned the suspension of the constitution as "totally inappropriate and unacceptable".