By Claudia Parsons

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Pakistan said on Tuesday it had complained to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon about his statement expressing concern on what Pakistan said are "internal developments" there.

Pakistan's U.N. mission said Ambassador Munir Akram had met Ban to convey his protest over Ban's statement on Monday in which he said he was "greatly concerned" about the imposition of emergency rule and dismayed at the arrest of activists.

President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday citing security threats. Critics saw the move as an attempt to stop any chance of the Supreme Court invalidating his re-election as president by parliament last month on the grounds that he stood while still army chief.

Hundreds of opposition activists have been detained and lawyers have come out en masse to protest the move.

A statement from the Pakistani mission said Akram had explained to Ban "the grave and multiple challenges which had compelled the government of Pakistan to declare the emergency."

"Its scope is restricted," the statement said.

"Governance continues as close as possible to the Constitution with the Cabinet, Assemblies, Governors and other organs of the state functioning normally. Pakistan remains committed to restore normalcy, rule of law and democracy."

Ban's statement, issued by spokeswoman Michele Montas, urged Pakistan to immediately release those detained and to take early steps to restore democratic rule. He also called for elections to be held as scheduled.

Marty Natalegawa, the ambassador of Indonesia, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, said no country had made any move to raise the issue of Pakistan at the council, whose mission is to address matters that present a threat to international peace and security. (Editing by Bill Trott)

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