Ambassador Munir Akram complained that Ban Ki-moon was meddling in Pakistan's affairs by saying the country should return to democratic rule. Mr Ban relayed to reporters what he had told Mr Akram at their meeting on Tuesday. "I again expressed my deep concern and regret [at] what had happened in Pakistan. I also urged strongly that the Pakistani government should return to democratic rule and procedures as soon as possible," Mr Ban said. He called for the release of political leaders and lawyers detained during the crisis in Pakistan and for restrictions on the media to be removed.
The Pakistani mission to the UN said Mr Akram had explained to Mr Ban "the grave and multiple challenges which had compelled the government of Pakistan to declare the emergency". It said the emergency measures were "restricted" in scope. "Governance continues as close as possible to the constitution with the cabinet, assemblies, governors and other organs of the state functioning normally," the mission said in a statement. "Pakistan remains committed to restore normalcy, rule of law and democracy."