Break The News

SKY NEWS - President Pervez Musharraf has lifted Pakistan's month-long state of emergency.

A Government spokesman confirmed the move and said the president would address the country later today.

Mr Musharraf suspended the constitution and Supreme Court on November 3 in what he said was a move to crack down on Islamic militants.

The court had been due to challenge his re-election.

Judges hand-picked by Mr Musharraf have since backed the president.

Mr Musharraf was under pressure from the US and international community to restore the constitution.

Despite lifting the restrictions, critics say curbs on the media and judiciary mean that the president can still manipulate a January 8 general election win.

The election is a three-way battle between parties loyal to Mr Musharraf and the parties of two main opposition leaders, former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto.

The Pakistani media has criticised a ban on live broadcasts as an attempt to control election coverage.

But some lawyers and judges, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who were deposed are still under house arrest.