The US has welcomed the fresh 'firm' date set by Pakistan government to hold general elections in the Muslim nation that were postponed due to worsening law and order situation created by former premier Benazir Bhutto's [Images] assassination.

"We are pleased the Pakistani electoral commission has scheduled February 18 as the date, a firm date. That is terribly important in the current circumstances when so much political turbulence is going on within its political system," State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said.

Now, the challenge for Islamabad is to conduct a 'free, fair and transparent poll by ensuring that independent media is able to operate, allowing those who want to peacefully participate in the political process to do so and by lifting the restrictions on political parties,' he said.

Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the situation in Pakistan is unstable following the murder of Benazir Bhutto, but it has not led to a renewed state of emergency in the Muslim nation.

"We have not heard anyone talking about a renewed state of emergency in Pakistan. And I think that it remains a dangerous situation when you have people who are willing to blow themselves up to advance a political cause. And no wonder it creates instability," Perino said.

The US will continue to co-operate with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, she said.