President Pervez Musharraf has said emergency rule can only be lifted once the law and order situation in Pakistan improves, according to a presidential aide.
Mr Musharraf, who held talks with US Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, said the emergency is meant to reinforce and strengthen the law enforcement apparatus in the fight against militancy and extremism.
Mr Musharraf, who took power in a 1999 coup, declared emergency rule on 3 November, suspended the constitution and rounded up thousands of opponents.
Last weekend he said general elections would be held by 9 January. However, he did not say when the constitution would be restored or the emergency lifted.
He said the state of emergency would ensure a fair vote.
