In a report entitled 'Repairing the damage: ensuring robust human rights safeguards,' Amnesty voiced concern in particular over the diminished role of an independent judiciary.

President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency and sacked some 60 judges on Nov 3, days before the Supreme Court was due to rule on the legality of his new presidential term, which he secured while he was still army chief.

'Steps taken by Pervez Musharraf, both as Chief of Army Staff and as president, breached both national and international law,' said Mr Tim Parritt, Amnesty's deputy head for Asia.

'Musharraf suspended fundamental rights including the right to life and freedom from discrimination, put his actions beyond judicial review and illegally replaced judges critical of the executive - including on human rights - with compliant ones.

'They obliged him by declaring his actions lawful,' he added.

Following February elections Mr Musharraf has summoned parliament to meet next Monday, setting up a showdown with the opposition parties which routed his allies in elections last month.

Mr Musharraf is likely to face a hostile parliament after Mr Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain ex-premier Benazir Bhutto, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif agreed on Sunday to form a coalition government.

Mr Sharif's party said the new parliament would decide Mr Musharraf's political fate. Mr Sharif has repeatedly called for Mr Musharraf to step down in recent weeks.

Amnesty said the new parliament should stand firm. 'Unless the new parliament decides to undo these measures, the outlook for human rights protection in Pakistan remains bleak,' said Mr Parritt.

'Parliament must take concrete action, ensuring that human rights, the constitution and the judiciary are never again viewed as expendable tools to be tolerated by those in power only to the extent that they are useful.

'Piecemeal amendments will not repair the long-term damage caused during the state of emergency - a sea change is needed in Pakistan's political culture,' he added. -- AFP