Newspaper editorials attacked emergency rule as being against the interests of the nation and called on the government of President Pervez Musharraf to secure a public mandate via the ballot box to tackle existing problems from a position of strength.

"The threats facing the nation are grave, and only a government armed with a mandate from the people -- a mandate secured through a fair and free election -- can stem the tide of extremism and meet the threats to Pakistan's sovereignty from many quarters," said Dawn newspaper.

Musharraf on Thursday decided against declaring a state of emergency after mulling it over with advisers for two days amid what senior government ministers had said were "internal and external threats."

Sources close to the president said Thursday his decision to reject the advice of political allies on imposing emergency rule was based on his commitment to elections that are slated for early next year.