The United Nations' top officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on Monday demanded that the military regime in Pakistan immediately release all persons detained in the wake of the imposition of emergency, including lawyers, judges and human rights activists and hold parliamentary elections as scheduled.

They especially expressed concern over the arrest of UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief Asma Jahangir.

Apparently, the Musharraf government failed to inform the United Nations about her detention. On how the United Nations came to know about it, a spokesperson said, "Our people informed us".

Ban, who is closely watching the situation, called for the release of all detainees, restoration of democratic rule and holding of parliamentary elections as scheduled.

Asked whether Ban has personally spoken to President Pervez Musharraf [Images] after he imposed emergency, the spokesperson said, "not that I know of".

On whether Ban plans to appoint a special envoy to convey concern to the Pakistani government and seek restoration of democratic rule, she said no such decision has been taken so far.

Ban said that he is greatly concerned about the recent developments in Pakistan and the imposition of emergency rule. He urged Islamabad to lift all restrictions on media and take early steps for the return of democratic rule.

The United Nations top human rights official asked Islamabad to clarify the status of the detained persons including Jahangir.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights voiced alarm at the suspension of fundamental rights and imposition of a state of emergency and asked Islamabad to ensure that no one is held for their political beliefs.

"A state of emergency should only be used to deal with a dire security threat to the nation, not to undermine the integrity and independence of the judiciary," the High Commissioner said.

The prohibition on arbitrary detention, torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment cannot be suspended even in times of emergency, she told Islamabad. Such far-reaching restrictions of rights must be proportional and may only be applied to the extent and for the time strictly required by the situation, she noted.