A day after president Pervez Musharraf reasserted control over Pakistan by declaring a state of emergency, security forces patrolled the streets of the country Sunday, rounding up key critics of the government.
According to reports, hundreds of people, including opposition politicians and lawyers who took part in vocal protests against Musharraf's rule earlier this year, are in custody. Among them: cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Javed Hashmi, acting chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. At least one television station, Aaj TV, was raided.
"We are back to square one," Dawn newspaper said in an editorial. "Back to Oct. 12, 1999. All the gains over the years have gone down the drain," it said, referring to the date Musharraf took control of Pakistan.
Nov. 3 "will go down as another dark day in Pakistan's political and constitutional history," The News said Sunday, joining the international condemnation of the crackdown.
Musharraf decided to declare an emergency and install a provisional constitution to protect Pakistan's interests, he said Saturday, addressing the nation on state-owned television. The move would ensure Pakistan's transition to democracy won't be derailed by rising terrorism and extremism.
Critics say there's another reason for the decision. Musharraf's term as president expires on Nov. 15 and the Supreme Court was scheduled to rule this month if he is eligible for another term as president. He won a presidential election by a majority in October. The latest move is likely to stall general elections scheduled for January.
Eight Supreme Court judges rejected the emergency as unconstitutional. Chief Justice Iftikar Chaudhry was removed from office and taken away by the military to an unknown location, reports said. Musharraf appointed a new chief justice. He accused the courts of releasing terrorists, and charged them with fostering a breakdown of law and order. The supreme court building was surrounded by soldiers.
The government shut down the transmission of private media channels and cut telephone services in the capital Islamabad. Justifying a ban on TV stations, Musharraf accused the media of spreading "negativism." He restricted them from expressing any opinion "prejudicial" to himself or to Pakistan.
The bulk of the president's address was in Urdu, but he switched to English toward the end to make an appeal to Pakistan's "friends in the West--the U.S., the European Union and the Commonwealth." Musharraf asked for understanding of the "critical situation" the nation was in.
"Please do not expect or demand your level of democracy, which you learned over a number of centuries. Please also do not demand or expect your number of civil rights, human rights or civil liberties … Please give us time. For me and every Pakistani, Pakistan comes first," Musharraf said, comparing his actions with those of U.S. president Abraham Lincoln to preserve the union.
A wave of Islamist militancy in the country claimed hundreds of lives in the last few weeks. Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan last month was marked by a suicide bombing which killed 139 people. After news of the emergency broke Saturday, Bhutto returned to Pakistan from Dubai.
She was welcomed by throngs of supporters when she arrived in the business district of Karachi. After Musharraf's address, she said the president had imposed martial law by putting the constitution in abeyance and taking complete control of the nation.
"This is a situation worse than an emergency. The people of Pakistan will not accept this," Bhutto said, accusing Musharraf of taking the step to pre-empt a likely court ruling against his presidency.
Former Prime Minister Sharif also slammed the move. He'd attempted to return to Pakistan in September, but was deported to Saudi Arabia by the general. "We have not witnessed such a grave situation in the 60 years of Pakistan's history," Sharif told an Indian news channel.
Some Pakistani citizens indicated the move could help the nation, though it was a blow for civil rights. "It's very quiet on the streets of Karachi," Mahim Rehman, head of research at DLA Capital, said late Saturday. "Over the last week, we had an indication this could happen because of the worsening law and order situation and speculation that the Supreme Court would rule against Musharraf's presidency. If Musharraf seems to be in control again, that will be seen a positive sign." Musharraf said a rise in extremism was hurting foreign investment.
Musharraf has been under pressure from the international community to restore democracy through nationwide elections. International reaction to the crackdown was swift.
"It's highly regrettable that Pakistan's president has declared a state of martial law," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday. "The U.S. does not support extra constitutional measures." American officials reportedly made requests to Musharraf not to impose emergency rule this week, indicating it could jeopardize U.S. financial support for his military.
"We regret the difficult times that Pakistan is passing through," neighboring India's external affairs ministry said in a statement. "We trust that conditions of normalcy will soon return, permitting Pakistan's transition to stability and democracy to continue."
In Britain, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "We recognize the threat to peace and security faced by the country, but its future rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of stability, development and countering terrorism. I am gravely concerned by the measures adopted [Saturday], which will take Pakistan further from these goals."
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Activists detained in Pakistan crackdown
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- President Gen. Pervez Musharraf cracked down hard on opponents today, the second day of emergency rule in the country, and his government suggested that scheduled elections could be put off for as long as a year.
Hundreds of political activists, senior judges and human-rights leaders were rounded up by police. The country's deposed chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, was confined to his cordoned-off home, with no one allowed to approach.
Private news channels remained off the air and were told they would be subject to strict new regulations if and when they resumed broadcasting.
"He has a long agenda, a long list," said Ahsan Iqbal, an opposition party leader, referring to Musharraf.
Iqbal, a senior member of the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, fled into hiding just steps ahead of police who came to his home to arrest him.
"This is not going to end any time soon," he said. "Whether in prison or not, it is as if we are all in jail."
Some of the country's most venerable jurists and human-rights activists were among those rounded up and roughly bundled into police vans.
They included Munir Malik, a senior attorney who has been at the forefront of a pro-democracy movement that swelled in recent months, and Asma Jehangir, a distinguished lawyer who leads the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Up to 200 policemen stormed the office of the rights commission in the eastern city of Lahore, arresting all the group's senior staff.
Musharraf, whose popularity and prestige have nose-dived this year, declared a state of emergency on Saturday evening, granting himself extraordinary powers to suppress dissent.
The Pakistani leader's aides said no decision had been reached on how long the state of emergency might last.
"We will see what is necessary," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told reporters.
The emergency declaration was ostensibly in response to deteriorating security in the face of an Islamist insurgency and a spate of suicide bombings in Pakistani cities.
But most observers were united in the view that Musharraf acted to preempt a potential legal ruling invalidating his election to another term as president while retaining his position as military chief.
The general had promised to step down as head of the army once he was inaugurated to a second presidential term, but there appears to be no prospect of that happening now.
"Musharraf's Second Coup," read the headline in the independent Dawn newspaper. The general seized power in a 1999 coup.
Musharraf has quickly set about remaking the judiciary, only allowing judges who swear allegiance to retain their posts. Five of the 19-member Supreme Court bench have done so; the rest refused.
The high court was to have ruled this week on whether Musharraf's Oct. 6 reelection by lawmakers was valid. That case is now off the docket, court officials said.
Some small street protests broke out today. But most opposition leaders, at least for the time being, refrained from calling supporters into the streets, apparently fearing a bloodbath. Police used batons to break up one gathering of several dozen protesters not far from the presidential compound.
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who returned to the country from a brief visit to Dubai just as the emergency order was taking effect, remained largely out of sight in her residential and office compound in the port city of Karachi.
In Pakistan's large cities, many markets and businesses were open as usual. But paramilitary troops patrolled in Islamabad, sealing off most government buildings and other sensitive locations such as the private television channels.
Aziz, the prime minister, acknowledged that about 500 people were being held in what he described as preventive detention. Activists said they believed the figure was much higher.
Hundreds of political activists, senior judges and human-rights leaders were rounded up by police. The country's deposed chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, was confined to his cordoned-off home, with no one allowed to approach.
Private news channels remained off the air and were told they would be subject to strict new regulations if and when they resumed broadcasting.
"He has a long agenda, a long list," said Ahsan Iqbal, an opposition party leader, referring to Musharraf.
Iqbal, a senior member of the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, fled into hiding just steps ahead of police who came to his home to arrest him.
"This is not going to end any time soon," he said. "Whether in prison or not, it is as if we are all in jail."
Some of the country's most venerable jurists and human-rights activists were among those rounded up and roughly bundled into police vans.
They included Munir Malik, a senior attorney who has been at the forefront of a pro-democracy movement that swelled in recent months, and Asma Jehangir, a distinguished lawyer who leads the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Up to 200 policemen stormed the office of the rights commission in the eastern city of Lahore, arresting all the group's senior staff.
Musharraf, whose popularity and prestige have nose-dived this year, declared a state of emergency on Saturday evening, granting himself extraordinary powers to suppress dissent.
The Pakistani leader's aides said no decision had been reached on how long the state of emergency might last.
"We will see what is necessary," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told reporters.
The emergency declaration was ostensibly in response to deteriorating security in the face of an Islamist insurgency and a spate of suicide bombings in Pakistani cities.
But most observers were united in the view that Musharraf acted to preempt a potential legal ruling invalidating his election to another term as president while retaining his position as military chief.
The general had promised to step down as head of the army once he was inaugurated to a second presidential term, but there appears to be no prospect of that happening now.
"Musharraf's Second Coup," read the headline in the independent Dawn newspaper. The general seized power in a 1999 coup.
Musharraf has quickly set about remaking the judiciary, only allowing judges who swear allegiance to retain their posts. Five of the 19-member Supreme Court bench have done so; the rest refused.
The high court was to have ruled this week on whether Musharraf's Oct. 6 reelection by lawmakers was valid. That case is now off the docket, court officials said.
Some small street protests broke out today. But most opposition leaders, at least for the time being, refrained from calling supporters into the streets, apparently fearing a bloodbath. Police used batons to break up one gathering of several dozen protesters not far from the presidential compound.
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who returned to the country from a brief visit to Dubai just as the emergency order was taking effect, remained largely out of sight in her residential and office compound in the port city of Karachi.
In Pakistan's large cities, many markets and businesses were open as usual. But paramilitary troops patrolled in Islamabad, sealing off most government buildings and other sensitive locations such as the private television channels.
Aziz, the prime minister, acknowledged that about 500 people were being held in what he described as preventive detention. Activists said they believed the figure was much higher.
Musharraf Consolidates His Control With Arrests
Bhutto spent today at her residence in Karachi. Leaders of her party, the Pakistan People’s Party, said she would fly to Islamabad to hold talks with other opposition parties about how to proceed. But Bhutto did not show up here.
In interviews with foreign television channels, Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan after years in exile in October with the backing of the United States, appealed for free and fair elections. But sympathizers to her cause said her options for influencing the situation appeared limited.
Organizing large protests under emergency rule, and after the bomb attack on her arrival procession Oct. 18 that killed 140 people, would be difficult, said Najem Sethi, the editor in chief of The Daily Times.
“Verbally she will be very critical,” Sethi said. “But she is not going to participate in protests. She’s going to make a token representation. Behind the scenes she will work with the government for elections as soon as possible.”
Musharraf summoned foreign diplomats, including the U.S. ambassador, Anne Patterson, to a meeting Sunday to explain the reasons for his action, according to diplomats.
The emergency rule came into force less than 24 hours after Musharraf met here with the senior United States. military commander in the region, Admiral William Fallon, who warned the Pakistani leader that U.S. military assistance would be in jeopardy if he introduced martial law, diplomats said.
Soon after Musharraf’s emergency decree, Washington officials said it was unlikely that the military aid would be cut. Indeed, the general tailored his decree to stress the necessity of continuing the fight against Islamic extremists sympathetic to the Taliban and Al Qaeda, which may have made it difficult for the United States to back off its commitments.
Musharraf acted just days before the Supreme Court was due to decide on the legality of his re-election on Oct. 6.
Among the dozens of lawyers arrested was the president of the Supreme Court bar association, Aitzaz Ahsan, who has opposed Musharraf in legal arguments and in political protests, said Ayesha Tammy Haq, an Islamabad lawyer.
“If you want to take the country away from Talibanization, these are the people who can do it, the secular middle class,” said Haq, as she waited Sunday at the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi to see Ahsan.
A government spokesman, Tariq Aziz Khan, said the arrests of lawyers were “preventive measures” taken because of a “threat to future law and order.”
In the spring, lawyers spearheaded opposition to Musharraf after he fired the chief justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The Supreme Court later reinstated Chaudhry, who continued to irritate Musharraf. By the end of last week, the general seemed unsure that the Supreme Court would rule favorably on his re-election.
Under the emergency declaration, the Supreme Court justices were ordered to take an oath to abide by a “provisional constitutional order” that replaces the country’s existing Constitution. Seven justices rejected the order Saturday night, according to an aide to Chaudhry.
Hours later, the state-run news media reported that three justices generally seen as supporting Musharraf had taken an oath to uphold the emergency measure. And it was announced that Chaudhry had been replaced by a pro-government member of the Supreme Court bench, Abdul Hamid Doger, as chief justice.
The director of the private television channel Aaj TV, Wamiq Zuberi, said a magistrate accompanied by five vans of gun-toting police officers showed up at the channel’s studios here Saturday night. They wanted to confiscate the channel’s outdoor broadcasting van, Zuberi said. But the magistrate did not have a warrant, and the workers at the studio stood their ground, forcing the officials to leave, Zuberi said.
Aziz, the prime minister, said today that the government planned to work on “a code of conduct” for broadcasters.
Representatives of several of the major opposition parties said their workers had been arrested. Ahsan Iqbal, the secretary for information of the Muslim League party, headed by the exiled politician Nawaz Sharif, said that eight party members had been arrested in the remote district of Narowal on the border with India.
In interviews with foreign television channels, Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan after years in exile in October with the backing of the United States, appealed for free and fair elections. But sympathizers to her cause said her options for influencing the situation appeared limited.
Organizing large protests under emergency rule, and after the bomb attack on her arrival procession Oct. 18 that killed 140 people, would be difficult, said Najem Sethi, the editor in chief of The Daily Times.
“Verbally she will be very critical,” Sethi said. “But she is not going to participate in protests. She’s going to make a token representation. Behind the scenes she will work with the government for elections as soon as possible.”
Musharraf summoned foreign diplomats, including the U.S. ambassador, Anne Patterson, to a meeting Sunday to explain the reasons for his action, according to diplomats.
The emergency rule came into force less than 24 hours after Musharraf met here with the senior United States. military commander in the region, Admiral William Fallon, who warned the Pakistani leader that U.S. military assistance would be in jeopardy if he introduced martial law, diplomats said.
Soon after Musharraf’s emergency decree, Washington officials said it was unlikely that the military aid would be cut. Indeed, the general tailored his decree to stress the necessity of continuing the fight against Islamic extremists sympathetic to the Taliban and Al Qaeda, which may have made it difficult for the United States to back off its commitments.
Musharraf acted just days before the Supreme Court was due to decide on the legality of his re-election on Oct. 6.
Among the dozens of lawyers arrested was the president of the Supreme Court bar association, Aitzaz Ahsan, who has opposed Musharraf in legal arguments and in political protests, said Ayesha Tammy Haq, an Islamabad lawyer.
“If you want to take the country away from Talibanization, these are the people who can do it, the secular middle class,” said Haq, as she waited Sunday at the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi to see Ahsan.
A government spokesman, Tariq Aziz Khan, said the arrests of lawyers were “preventive measures” taken because of a “threat to future law and order.”
In the spring, lawyers spearheaded opposition to Musharraf after he fired the chief justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The Supreme Court later reinstated Chaudhry, who continued to irritate Musharraf. By the end of last week, the general seemed unsure that the Supreme Court would rule favorably on his re-election.
Under the emergency declaration, the Supreme Court justices were ordered to take an oath to abide by a “provisional constitutional order” that replaces the country’s existing Constitution. Seven justices rejected the order Saturday night, according to an aide to Chaudhry.
Hours later, the state-run news media reported that three justices generally seen as supporting Musharraf had taken an oath to uphold the emergency measure. And it was announced that Chaudhry had been replaced by a pro-government member of the Supreme Court bench, Abdul Hamid Doger, as chief justice.
The director of the private television channel Aaj TV, Wamiq Zuberi, said a magistrate accompanied by five vans of gun-toting police officers showed up at the channel’s studios here Saturday night. They wanted to confiscate the channel’s outdoor broadcasting van, Zuberi said. But the magistrate did not have a warrant, and the workers at the studio stood their ground, forcing the officials to leave, Zuberi said.
Aziz, the prime minister, said today that the government planned to work on “a code of conduct” for broadcasters.
Representatives of several of the major opposition parties said their workers had been arrested. Ahsan Iqbal, the secretary for information of the Muslim League party, headed by the exiled politician Nawaz Sharif, said that eight party members had been arrested in the remote district of Narowal on the border with India.
West urges Pakistan to lift martial law, return to democracy
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was under fire at home and abroad Sunday after declaring an indefinite state of emergency that the West is calling a blow to democracy.
Pakistani Information Minister Tariq Azim Khan said the move -- which suspends the constitution and expands Musharraf's powers -- was necessary because "things had gone totally haywire."
Musharraf made the declaration Saturday in reaction to what he said was judicial activism by the state's high court. Musharraf has been tussling with the Supreme Court since at least March, when he removed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, citing judicial misconduct.
The Supreme Court -- which reinstated Chaudhry in July in what many called a political blow to Musharraf -- was amid hearing arguments from opposition leaders who said that Musharraf's victory in the October elections should be overturned because Musharraf was not eligible to serve a third term while heading the country's military.
Khan said parliamentary elections slated for January have been postponed indefinitely, but Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said later no such decision had been made.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that Musharraf did not consult Washington before declaring the state of emergency, a move she called "highly regrettable." The U.S. told the Pakistani leadership before Saturday that it does not support "extra-constitutional means," she said. Video Watch why Rice says she is disappointed with Musharraf's actions »
"It is in the best interest of Pakistan and in the best interest of the Pakistani people for there to be a prompt return to a constitutional course, for there to be an affirmation that elections will be held for a new parliament, and for all parties to act with restraint in what is obviously a very difficult situation," she said.
Don't Miss
* Musharraf declares emergency
* PM: State of emergency indefinite
* Bhutto decries 'dictatorship'
* Pakistani police storm TV station
Later in the day, Rice said the U.S. would review its financial aid package to Pakistan, a key ally in the war on terror. She conceded the matter would be complicated because much of the aid goes to counterterrorism.
Javier Solana, foreign policy chief for the 27-nation European Union, also implored Musharraf to keep the January elections on track. Solana told The Associated Press he realizes Pakistan is facing difficulties in its political and security situations, but "any deviation from the general democratic process cannot be a solution."
Solana, in a statement, urged Musharraf "to abide by the rule of law, notably to respect the boundaries of the constitution" and asked that political parties show "restraint to facilitate a quick return to normalcy."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband also expressed concerns about the state of emergency, saying Pakistan's future "rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of stability, development and countering terrorism."
As part of the state of emergency, the Pakistani government has a list of about 1,500 opposition figures, mostly activists and lawyers to be rounded up, according to police sources and witnesses. Chaudhry is one of seven Supreme Court judges placed under house arrest after the court declared Musharraf's state of emergency illegal under the constitution.
Shortly after the court ruling, troops went to Chaudhry's office and told him he was fired, the judge's office said. Massive protests ensued after Chaudhry was removed from the bench earlier this year. See a timeline of events leading up to the state of emergency »
The head of Pakistan's human rights commission, Asma Jahangir, said she, too, was under house arrest and that Musharraf "has lost his marbles."
Khan, the information minister, said the house arrests are "a very temporary measure" and were targeting "people who have been causing law and order situations."
Pakistanis reacted to the country's turmoil Sunday with a mixture of anger and apathy, according to AP.
Said factory worker Faisal Sayed, "Pakistan is bad because of one person: Musharraf. He has ruined our country."
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But day laborer Togul Khan, 38, had a more cynical outlook as he waited for work on an Islamabad street corner, AP reported.
"What's the point of talking about this?" he asked. "The politicians have lifted Pakistan into the sky and spun it round before bringing it crashing down to earth -- but nothing will change for us." E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend
Pakistani Information Minister Tariq Azim Khan said the move -- which suspends the constitution and expands Musharraf's powers -- was necessary because "things had gone totally haywire."
Musharraf made the declaration Saturday in reaction to what he said was judicial activism by the state's high court. Musharraf has been tussling with the Supreme Court since at least March, when he removed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, citing judicial misconduct.
The Supreme Court -- which reinstated Chaudhry in July in what many called a political blow to Musharraf -- was amid hearing arguments from opposition leaders who said that Musharraf's victory in the October elections should be overturned because Musharraf was not eligible to serve a third term while heading the country's military.
Khan said parliamentary elections slated for January have been postponed indefinitely, but Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said later no such decision had been made.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday that Musharraf did not consult Washington before declaring the state of emergency, a move she called "highly regrettable." The U.S. told the Pakistani leadership before Saturday that it does not support "extra-constitutional means," she said. Video Watch why Rice says she is disappointed with Musharraf's actions »
"It is in the best interest of Pakistan and in the best interest of the Pakistani people for there to be a prompt return to a constitutional course, for there to be an affirmation that elections will be held for a new parliament, and for all parties to act with restraint in what is obviously a very difficult situation," she said.
Don't Miss
* Musharraf declares emergency
* PM: State of emergency indefinite
* Bhutto decries 'dictatorship'
* Pakistani police storm TV station
Later in the day, Rice said the U.S. would review its financial aid package to Pakistan, a key ally in the war on terror. She conceded the matter would be complicated because much of the aid goes to counterterrorism.
Javier Solana, foreign policy chief for the 27-nation European Union, also implored Musharraf to keep the January elections on track. Solana told The Associated Press he realizes Pakistan is facing difficulties in its political and security situations, but "any deviation from the general democratic process cannot be a solution."
Solana, in a statement, urged Musharraf "to abide by the rule of law, notably to respect the boundaries of the constitution" and asked that political parties show "restraint to facilitate a quick return to normalcy."
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband also expressed concerns about the state of emergency, saying Pakistan's future "rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of stability, development and countering terrorism."
As part of the state of emergency, the Pakistani government has a list of about 1,500 opposition figures, mostly activists and lawyers to be rounded up, according to police sources and witnesses. Chaudhry is one of seven Supreme Court judges placed under house arrest after the court declared Musharraf's state of emergency illegal under the constitution.
Shortly after the court ruling, troops went to Chaudhry's office and told him he was fired, the judge's office said. Massive protests ensued after Chaudhry was removed from the bench earlier this year. See a timeline of events leading up to the state of emergency »
The head of Pakistan's human rights commission, Asma Jahangir, said she, too, was under house arrest and that Musharraf "has lost his marbles."
Khan, the information minister, said the house arrests are "a very temporary measure" and were targeting "people who have been causing law and order situations."
Pakistanis reacted to the country's turmoil Sunday with a mixture of anger and apathy, according to AP.
Said factory worker Faisal Sayed, "Pakistan is bad because of one person: Musharraf. He has ruined our country."
advertisement
But day laborer Togul Khan, 38, had a more cynical outlook as he waited for work on an Islamabad street corner, AP reported.
"What's the point of talking about this?" he asked. "The politicians have lifted Pakistan into the sky and spun it round before bringing it crashing down to earth -- but nothing will change for us." E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend
Saturday, November 3, 2007
‘What Pak has today is martial law’
Has General Pervez Musharraf dropped the mask that had made him a favourite of the West: a military ruler willing to live with a free media and a relatively freer judiciary?
The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan empowers only the President to promulgate Emergency under which certain powers of the provinces get transferred to the federal government. It also enables the ruling dispensation to extend the life of the national assembly by a year.
But for reasons best known to him, Musharraf has issued a provisional constitutional order in his capacity as the Chief of the Army Staff. Opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rahman points out that what Pakistan has today is de facto martial law. “If it were an Emergency, how could it mean suspension of the very Constitution under which it has been imposed?” wondered an Islamabad-based lawyer.
From initial reports, it is obvious that the brunt of the General’s move has been borne by the judiciary and the media. Private TV channels have been taken off air, troops have been deployed at the Supreme Court and Aitzaz Ahsan of the PPP who fought Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary’s case has been placed under arrest.
Ahsan is also the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
These steps, if taken under the so-called emergency powers, fly in the face of a 1998 Supreme Court judgement. On imposition of emergency after the 1998 nuclear tests in India and Pakistan that triggered sanctions against Islamabad, the Court had upheld the Government’s action barring the suspension of fundamental rights.
Against this backdrop, the clampdown on the press by the Musharraf regime only reinforces the impression that Pakistan could be under martial law the General had scrupulously avoided imposing all these years to distinguish himself from the likes of Zia-ul-Haq. In fact, MQM chief Altaf Hussain often cited this dissimilarity to justify his support of Musharraf.
By the same logic, this writer had once asked Asif Zardari whether he would describe Musharraf as a benign military ruler. In response Benazir Bhutto’s husband had said: “It is a charade to deny the democratic forces the kind of audience they always had in the West during military rule in Pakistan.’’
Ironically, the departure of Zardari’s spouse for Dubai earlier this week was the first indication of Musharraf contemplating suspension of return to democracy. There is indeed a flip side to Musharraf’s seemingly unpopular decision. Terrorist violence is on the rise and the morale of Pakistani troops abysmally low. The General desperately needed to show that he was fighting back the jehadis.
But the first impression is that of a blow being dealt to the forces of democracy.
The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan empowers only the President to promulgate Emergency under which certain powers of the provinces get transferred to the federal government. It also enables the ruling dispensation to extend the life of the national assembly by a year.
But for reasons best known to him, Musharraf has issued a provisional constitutional order in his capacity as the Chief of the Army Staff. Opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rahman points out that what Pakistan has today is de facto martial law. “If it were an Emergency, how could it mean suspension of the very Constitution under which it has been imposed?” wondered an Islamabad-based lawyer.
From initial reports, it is obvious that the brunt of the General’s move has been borne by the judiciary and the media. Private TV channels have been taken off air, troops have been deployed at the Supreme Court and Aitzaz Ahsan of the PPP who fought Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary’s case has been placed under arrest.
Ahsan is also the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
These steps, if taken under the so-called emergency powers, fly in the face of a 1998 Supreme Court judgement. On imposition of emergency after the 1998 nuclear tests in India and Pakistan that triggered sanctions against Islamabad, the Court had upheld the Government’s action barring the suspension of fundamental rights.
Against this backdrop, the clampdown on the press by the Musharraf regime only reinforces the impression that Pakistan could be under martial law the General had scrupulously avoided imposing all these years to distinguish himself from the likes of Zia-ul-Haq. In fact, MQM chief Altaf Hussain often cited this dissimilarity to justify his support of Musharraf.
By the same logic, this writer had once asked Asif Zardari whether he would describe Musharraf as a benign military ruler. In response Benazir Bhutto’s husband had said: “It is a charade to deny the democratic forces the kind of audience they always had in the West during military rule in Pakistan.’’
Ironically, the departure of Zardari’s spouse for Dubai earlier this week was the first indication of Musharraf contemplating suspension of return to democracy. There is indeed a flip side to Musharraf’s seemingly unpopular decision. Terrorist violence is on the rise and the morale of Pakistani troops abysmally low. The General desperately needed to show that he was fighting back the jehadis.
But the first impression is that of a blow being dealt to the forces of democracy.
Emergency rule for democracy - Musharraf
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said early on Sunday he imposed emergency rule to help complete the transition from military to civilian-led democracy, and appealed to the international community to be understanding.
Musharraf, whose emergency rule proclamation on Saturday cited rising militancy and a hostile judiciary, said Pakistan needed time to reach the level of democracy enjoyed by the West.
"Please do not expect or demand your level of democracy which you learned over a number of centuries. Please give us time," he said in a pre-recorded televised address.
Musharraf, whose emergency rule proclamation on Saturday cited rising militancy and a hostile judiciary, said Pakistan needed time to reach the level of democracy enjoyed by the West.
"Please do not expect or demand your level of democracy which you learned over a number of centuries. Please give us time," he said in a pre-recorded televised address.
Proclamation of Emergency Issued by Gen. Pervez Musharraf
Following is the text of the Proclamation of Emergency declared by General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday, as released by The Associated Press of Pakistan, a state-run news agency.
WHEREAS there is visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, IED explosions, rocket firing and bomb explosions and the banding together of some militant groups have taken such activities to an unprecedented level of violent intensity posing a grave threat to the life and property of the citizens of Pakistan;
WHEREAS there has also been a spate of attacks on State infrastructure and on law enforcement agencies;
WHEREAS some members of the judiciary are working at cross purposes with the executive and legislature in the fight against terrorism and extremism thereby weakening the Government and the nation’s resolve and diluting the efficacy of its actions to control this menace;
WHEREAS there has been increasing interference by some members of the judiciary in government policy, adversely affecting economic growth, in particular;
WHEREAS constant interference in executive functions, including but not limited to the control of terrorist activity, economic policy, price controls, downsizing of corporations and urban planning, has weakened the writ of the government; the police force has been completely demoralized and is fast losing its efficacy to fight terrorism and Intelligence Agencies have been thwarted in their activities and prevented from pursuing terrorists;
WHEREAS some hard core militants, extremists, terrorists and suicide bombers, who were arrested and being investigated were ordered to be released. The persons so released have subsequently been involved in heinous terrorist activities, resulting in loss of human life and property. Militants across the country have, thus, been encouraged while law enforcement agencies subdued;
WHEREAS some judges by overstepping the limits of judicial authority have taken over the executive and legislative functions;
WHEREAS the Government is committed to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law and holds the superior judiciary in high esteem, it is nonetheless of paramount importance that the Honourable Judges confine the scope of their activity to the judicial function and not assume charge of administration;
WHEREAS an important Constitutional institution, the Supreme Judicial Council, has been made entirely irrelevant and non est by a recent order and judges have, thus, made themselves immune from inquiry into their conduct and put themselves beyond accountability;
WHEREAS the humiliating treatment meted to government officials by some members of the judiciary on a routine basis during court proceedings has demoralized the civil bureaucracy and senior government functionaries, to avoid being harassed, prefer inaction;
WHEREAS the law and order situation in the country as well as the economy have been adversely affected and trichotomy of powers eroded;
WHEREAS a situation has thus arisen where the Government of the country cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution and as the Constitution provides no solution for this situation, there is no way out except through emergent and extraordinary measures;
AND WHEREAS the situation has been reviewed in meetings with the Prime Minister, Governors of all four Provinces, and with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chiefs of the Armed Forces, Vice-Chief of Army Staff and Corps Commanders of the Pakistan Army;
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the deliberations and decisions of the said meetings, I General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of the Army Staff, proclaim Emergency throughout Pakistan.
2. I hereby order and proclaim that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall remain in abeyance.
3. This Proclamation shall come into force at once.
WHEREAS there is visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, IED explosions, rocket firing and bomb explosions and the banding together of some militant groups have taken such activities to an unprecedented level of violent intensity posing a grave threat to the life and property of the citizens of Pakistan;
WHEREAS there has also been a spate of attacks on State infrastructure and on law enforcement agencies;
WHEREAS some members of the judiciary are working at cross purposes with the executive and legislature in the fight against terrorism and extremism thereby weakening the Government and the nation’s resolve and diluting the efficacy of its actions to control this menace;
WHEREAS there has been increasing interference by some members of the judiciary in government policy, adversely affecting economic growth, in particular;
WHEREAS constant interference in executive functions, including but not limited to the control of terrorist activity, economic policy, price controls, downsizing of corporations and urban planning, has weakened the writ of the government; the police force has been completely demoralized and is fast losing its efficacy to fight terrorism and Intelligence Agencies have been thwarted in their activities and prevented from pursuing terrorists;
WHEREAS some hard core militants, extremists, terrorists and suicide bombers, who were arrested and being investigated were ordered to be released. The persons so released have subsequently been involved in heinous terrorist activities, resulting in loss of human life and property. Militants across the country have, thus, been encouraged while law enforcement agencies subdued;
WHEREAS some judges by overstepping the limits of judicial authority have taken over the executive and legislative functions;
WHEREAS the Government is committed to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law and holds the superior judiciary in high esteem, it is nonetheless of paramount importance that the Honourable Judges confine the scope of their activity to the judicial function and not assume charge of administration;
WHEREAS an important Constitutional institution, the Supreme Judicial Council, has been made entirely irrelevant and non est by a recent order and judges have, thus, made themselves immune from inquiry into their conduct and put themselves beyond accountability;
WHEREAS the humiliating treatment meted to government officials by some members of the judiciary on a routine basis during court proceedings has demoralized the civil bureaucracy and senior government functionaries, to avoid being harassed, prefer inaction;
WHEREAS the law and order situation in the country as well as the economy have been adversely affected and trichotomy of powers eroded;
WHEREAS a situation has thus arisen where the Government of the country cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution and as the Constitution provides no solution for this situation, there is no way out except through emergent and extraordinary measures;
AND WHEREAS the situation has been reviewed in meetings with the Prime Minister, Governors of all four Provinces, and with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chiefs of the Armed Forces, Vice-Chief of Army Staff and Corps Commanders of the Pakistan Army;
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the deliberations and decisions of the said meetings, I General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of the Army Staff, proclaim Emergency throughout Pakistan.
2. I hereby order and proclaim that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall remain in abeyance.
3. This Proclamation shall come into force at once.
Musharraf decries terrorism and judiciary
SLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf addressed the nation on Saturday hours after imposing emergency rule, saying terrorism and extremism had reached their limit and his country's sovereignty was at stake.
Musharraf, whose emergency rule proclamation cited rising militancy and a hostile judiciary, said Pakistan's system of government had become paralysed by judicial interference.
"Pakistan has reached a dangerous point, and is undergoing an internal crisis," he said in a televised address. "Whatever is happening is because of internal disturbances."
Musharraf, whose emergency rule proclamation cited rising militancy and a hostile judiciary, said Pakistan's system of government had become paralysed by judicial interference.
"Pakistan has reached a dangerous point, and is undergoing an internal crisis," he said in a televised address. "Whatever is happening is because of internal disturbances."
How Musharraf's Move Could Backfire
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency Saturday, citing growing militant attacks and interference in government policy by members of the judiciary. But far from a solution to Pakistan's problems, Musharraf's move to consolidate power has plunged the country into a deeper constitutional crisis and is likely to unleash a wave of new attacks by Al Qaeda-inspired militants, further destabilizing a key ally in the U.S.-led war on terror.
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The declaration of a state of emergency by Musharraf, who remains head of the army eight years after seizing power in a bloodless coup, suspended the constitution, blacked out independent television news stations and cut some phone lines. Soldiers and police patrolled parts of Islamabad, the capital.
The emergency declaration came as Pakistan's Supreme Court was expected to rule in the next two weeks on the legality of Musharraf's candidacy for another term as president. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, a thorn in Musharraf's side since the President suspended the judge earlier this year only to see him reinstated after massive public protests, was removed from his job and placed under house arrest. Members of the Supreme Court were required to sign a new provisional constitutional order that would mandate the state of emergency. But most of the justices instead signed a declaration calling the state of emergency illegal. "The Supreme Court was going to rule against him," president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Aitzaz Ahsan told TIME by cell phone from jail, where he was taken after being served a month-long detention order. "Constitutionally he [Musharraf] had no right to run as president while staying a general. This is the end of the road for him."
If that prediction is to prove true then much will depend on the reaction of ordinary Pakistanis. Musharraf is deeply unpopular. Hundreds of thousands of people turned out at protests in support of Chaudhry earlier this year. But it's possible that with the ousted chief justice and other anti-Musharraf judicial leaders under arrest popular resentment may not grow sufficiently hot. Another potential rallying point is former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan in October for the first time in eight years as part of a deal with Musharraf that would allow her to run in parliamentary elections early next year. As the leader of the biggest party in Pakistan, it was expected Bhutto would be elected prime minister under Musharraf. But the state of emergency changes that equation again. A London-based spokesman for Bhutto said the former prime minister would lead anti-Musharraf protests. Another former Pakistani leader Nawaz Sharif, who briefly tried to return earlier this year only to be almost immediately forced to leave, urged the Pakistani people to rise up against Musharraf.
The state of emergency puts Washington in an increasingly uncomfortable position. The Bush administration has long backed Musharraf as a key ally in the war on terror, while regularly calling for a return to democracy. Musharraf's latest move makes that balancing act harder to keep up. "The U.S. has made clear it does not support extraconstitutional measures because those measures take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters soon after the news of the state of emergency broke. "Whatever happens we will be urging a quick return to civilian rule" and a "return to constitutional order and the commitment to free and fair elections."
Lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan says there is no chance of that. "This is the kind of tolerance he has shown for the rule of law in this country," says Ahsan. "Everything he does is illegal. President Musharraf is illegal." But with the independence of Pakistan's highest court now in tatters, it's power, not laws, that matter now.
Related Articles
Storm Clouds Gather for Musharraf
Bomb blasts, insurgency and legal challenges are combining to imperil the prospects that Washington's ally will be able to maintain stability in Pakistan
Preparing For Bhutto
Her followers are happy, but terrorists are gunning for her even as she seeks to work with Musharraf and the military
Putting Musharraf on Hold
He has won reelection even as the Supreme Court put an impediment to his plan to succeed himself. No one thinks the delay will last for long
The declaration of a state of emergency by Musharraf, who remains head of the army eight years after seizing power in a bloodless coup, suspended the constitution, blacked out independent television news stations and cut some phone lines. Soldiers and police patrolled parts of Islamabad, the capital.
The emergency declaration came as Pakistan's Supreme Court was expected to rule in the next two weeks on the legality of Musharraf's candidacy for another term as president. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, a thorn in Musharraf's side since the President suspended the judge earlier this year only to see him reinstated after massive public protests, was removed from his job and placed under house arrest. Members of the Supreme Court were required to sign a new provisional constitutional order that would mandate the state of emergency. But most of the justices instead signed a declaration calling the state of emergency illegal. "The Supreme Court was going to rule against him," president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Aitzaz Ahsan told TIME by cell phone from jail, where he was taken after being served a month-long detention order. "Constitutionally he [Musharraf] had no right to run as president while staying a general. This is the end of the road for him."
If that prediction is to prove true then much will depend on the reaction of ordinary Pakistanis. Musharraf is deeply unpopular. Hundreds of thousands of people turned out at protests in support of Chaudhry earlier this year. But it's possible that with the ousted chief justice and other anti-Musharraf judicial leaders under arrest popular resentment may not grow sufficiently hot. Another potential rallying point is former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan in October for the first time in eight years as part of a deal with Musharraf that would allow her to run in parliamentary elections early next year. As the leader of the biggest party in Pakistan, it was expected Bhutto would be elected prime minister under Musharraf. But the state of emergency changes that equation again. A London-based spokesman for Bhutto said the former prime minister would lead anti-Musharraf protests. Another former Pakistani leader Nawaz Sharif, who briefly tried to return earlier this year only to be almost immediately forced to leave, urged the Pakistani people to rise up against Musharraf.
The state of emergency puts Washington in an increasingly uncomfortable position. The Bush administration has long backed Musharraf as a key ally in the war on terror, while regularly calling for a return to democracy. Musharraf's latest move makes that balancing act harder to keep up. "The U.S. has made clear it does not support extraconstitutional measures because those measures take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters soon after the news of the state of emergency broke. "Whatever happens we will be urging a quick return to civilian rule" and a "return to constitutional order and the commitment to free and fair elections."
Lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan says there is no chance of that. "This is the kind of tolerance he has shown for the rule of law in this country," says Ahsan. "Everything he does is illegal. President Musharraf is illegal." But with the independence of Pakistan's highest court now in tatters, it's power, not laws, that matter now.
Musharraf entrenching army rule in Pakistan-rights group
ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Reuters) - A leading human rights group accused President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday of derailing Pakistan's return to civilian-led democracy and entrenching military rule.
Shortly after Musharraf invoked emergency powers and suspended the constitution, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a statement saying the move was meant to control increasingly independent judges.
"This is a shameless attempt to prevent Pakistanis from enjoying their basic rights under the law and a brazen attempt at muzzling the judiciary," the statement said.
The Supreme Court was in the midst of hearing challenges to Musharraf's Oct 6. re-election by parliament while still army chief, and there had been speculation the general would impose an emergency if the court ruled against him.
HRW also attacked the United States for backing the army chief who seized power in a coup eight years ago and later became a crucial ally after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
"U.S. policy on Pakistan has not only been flawed, it now appears to have failed. U.S. support for a coup-maker has only deepened Pakistan's political crisis," the statement said.
The United States has been encouraging Musharraf to guide Pakistan into elections, expected in January, that were supposed to mark a transition to civilian-led democracy.
Pakistan has been ruled by generals for more than half the 60 years since the country was formed following the partition of India.
Shortly after Musharraf invoked emergency powers and suspended the constitution, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a statement saying the move was meant to control increasingly independent judges.
"This is a shameless attempt to prevent Pakistanis from enjoying their basic rights under the law and a brazen attempt at muzzling the judiciary," the statement said.
The Supreme Court was in the midst of hearing challenges to Musharraf's Oct 6. re-election by parliament while still army chief, and there had been speculation the general would impose an emergency if the court ruled against him.
HRW also attacked the United States for backing the army chief who seized power in a coup eight years ago and later became a crucial ally after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
"U.S. policy on Pakistan has not only been flawed, it now appears to have failed. U.S. support for a coup-maker has only deepened Pakistan's political crisis," the statement said.
The United States has been encouraging Musharraf to guide Pakistan into elections, expected in January, that were supposed to mark a transition to civilian-led democracy.
Pakistan has been ruled by generals for more than half the 60 years since the country was formed following the partition of India.
Pakistan's Musharraf imposes emergency rule
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday, deploying troops and sacking a top judge in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against political rivals and Islamist militants.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in recent months with a wave of suicide attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, including one that killed 139 people.
State-run Pakistan Television said Musharraf had suspended the constitution and declared an emergency, ending weeks of speculation that the general who seized power in a 1999 coup might impose emergency rule or martial law.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on a visit to Turkey, criticized the measures as "highly regrettable" and said she hoped Pakistan would have a free and fair election in January as promised.
Witnesses said troops were deployed at Pakistan Television and radio stations, and most phone lines were down. Other troops sealed off the thoroughfare where the presidency building, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court are located.
Shots were heard in several neighborhoods of Karachi, where there is strong support for former opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister.
Television channels said that Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whose earlier dismissal in March marked the beginning of a slide in Musharraf's popularity, had been told that his services were "no longer required."
Chaudhry had been reinstated in July.
Musharraf had been awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election last month while still army chief. The court had said on Friday it would reconvene on Monday and try to finish the case quickly.
Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the provisional constitutional order issued by the president.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in recent months with a wave of suicide attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, including one that killed 139 people.
State-run Pakistan Television said Musharraf had suspended the constitution and declared an emergency, ending weeks of speculation that the general who seized power in a 1999 coup might impose emergency rule or martial law.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on a visit to Turkey, criticized the measures as "highly regrettable" and said she hoped Pakistan would have a free and fair election in January as promised.
Witnesses said troops were deployed at Pakistan Television and radio stations, and most phone lines were down. Other troops sealed off the thoroughfare where the presidency building, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court are located.
Shots were heard in several neighborhoods of Karachi, where there is strong support for former opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister.
Television channels said that Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whose earlier dismissal in March marked the beginning of a slide in Musharraf's popularity, had been told that his services were "no longer required."
Chaudhry had been reinstated in July.
Musharraf had been awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election last month while still army chief. The court had said on Friday it would reconvene on Monday and try to finish the case quickly.
Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the provisional constitutional order issued by the president.
Pakistan under martial law
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said he declared a state of emergency and martial law Saturday because Pakistan is at a "critical and dangerous juncture."
musharraf.jpg
President Pervez Musharraf explains his actions in a televised address Saturday.
The nation is going through "some very rapid changes," Musharraf said in a televised address to the nation after declaring martial law.
Despite immediate condemnation from within and outside his nation, he insisted that his actions are for the good of the country and the move is to stabilize unrest.
Musharraf had earlier in the day issued an order proclaiming the emergency and suspending the nation's constitution, according to a statement read on state television, and declaring martial law.
The Supreme Court declared the state of emergency illegal, claiming Musharraf had no power to suspend the constitution, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry said.
A senior Pakistani official said the emergency declaration will be "short-lived," and will be followed by an interim government. Martial law is a way to restore law and order, he said.
Shortly afterward, Chaudhry was expelled as chief justice, his office said. Troops came to Chaudhry's office to tell him.
The government appointed Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar as the new chief justice, according to state television.
It was the second time Chaudhry was removed from his post. His ousting by Musharraf in May prompted massive protests, and he was later reinstated. See a timeline of upheaval in Pakistan »
In Islamabad, troops entered the Supreme Court and were surrounding the judges' homes, according to CNN's Syed Mohsin Naqvi.
Supreme Court sources said some judges who were not in Islamabad were not at their homes, and it was not known whether they had been arrested.
Aitzaz Ahsan, a leading Pakistani attorney and president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was arrested at his home. A former interior minister, Ahsan represented Chaudhry the first time he was forced to leave his post.
The White House called Musharraf's action disappointing.
"President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
"All parties involved should move along the democratic path peacefully and quickly."
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is in Turkey for a conference with Iraq and neighboring nations, told CNN's Zain Verjee the developments in Pakistan were "highly regrettable."
The United States doesn't support any extra-constitutional measures taken by Musharraf, Rice said, urging restraint so violence can be avoided.
In Britain, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement, "We recognize the threat to peace and security faced by the country, but its future rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of stability, development and countering terrorism. I am gravely concerned by the measures adopted today, which will take Pakistan further from these goals."
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who left Pakistan last week to visit her family in Dubai, arrived in Karachi on Saturday.
She returned to Pakistan last month, despite death threats, after several years in exile.
On October 18, upon her return, at least 130 people were killed when a suicide attacker tried to assassinate her. Bhutto was lightly wounded, but escaped largely unharmed.
Bhutto has pledged to help her party succeed in January's parliamentary elections. She hopes to gain a third term as prime minister, possibly under a power-sharing deal with Musharraf.
"The people of Pakistan will not accept it," Bhutto spokesman Farhatullah Babar said of the emergency declaration. "We condemn this move."
The declaration prompted a few hundred people to take to the streets in protest, but police and paramilitary groups blocked Islamabad's main roads and dispersed the crowds.
Earlier, private networks had reported the declaration was imminent as top officials huddled at Musharraf's residence in Rawalpindi. Shortly after that report, most media channels went off the air in an apparent blackout, although some flickered off and on.
The declaration could delay approaching parliamentary elections, according to CNN's Nic Robertson. It also could provide Musharraf with a reason to continue serving as the nation's military chief.
The nation's political atmosphere has been tense for months, with Pakistani leaders in August considering a state of emergency because of the growing security threats in the country's lawless tribal regions. But Musharraf, influenced in part by Rice, held off on the move. Video Watch a report on the volatile situation in Pakistan »
Since that time, Musharraf has faced a flurry of criticism from the opposition, who demanded he abandon his military position before becoming eligible to seek a third presidential term. Musharraf garnered a vast majority of votes in presidential elections last month; however, those results have not been certified by the nation's high court.
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For weeks, the country has been coasting in a state of political limbo while the Supreme Court works to tackle legal challenges filed by the opposition that call into question Musharraf's eligibility to hold office. Some have speculated that the declaration of emergency was tied to rumors the court is planning to rule against Musharraf.
Musharraf, who led the 1999 coup as Pakistan's army chief, has seen his power erode since the failed effort to oust Chaudhry. His administration is also struggling to contain a surge in Islamic militancy.
musharraf.jpg
President Pervez Musharraf explains his actions in a televised address Saturday.
The nation is going through "some very rapid changes," Musharraf said in a televised address to the nation after declaring martial law.
Despite immediate condemnation from within and outside his nation, he insisted that his actions are for the good of the country and the move is to stabilize unrest.
Musharraf had earlier in the day issued an order proclaiming the emergency and suspending the nation's constitution, according to a statement read on state television, and declaring martial law.
The Supreme Court declared the state of emergency illegal, claiming Musharraf had no power to suspend the constitution, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry said.
A senior Pakistani official said the emergency declaration will be "short-lived," and will be followed by an interim government. Martial law is a way to restore law and order, he said.
Shortly afterward, Chaudhry was expelled as chief justice, his office said. Troops came to Chaudhry's office to tell him.
The government appointed Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar as the new chief justice, according to state television.
It was the second time Chaudhry was removed from his post. His ousting by Musharraf in May prompted massive protests, and he was later reinstated. See a timeline of upheaval in Pakistan »
In Islamabad, troops entered the Supreme Court and were surrounding the judges' homes, according to CNN's Syed Mohsin Naqvi.
Supreme Court sources said some judges who were not in Islamabad were not at their homes, and it was not known whether they had been arrested.
Aitzaz Ahsan, a leading Pakistani attorney and president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was arrested at his home. A former interior minister, Ahsan represented Chaudhry the first time he was forced to leave his post.
The White House called Musharraf's action disappointing.
"President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
"All parties involved should move along the democratic path peacefully and quickly."
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is in Turkey for a conference with Iraq and neighboring nations, told CNN's Zain Verjee the developments in Pakistan were "highly regrettable."
The United States doesn't support any extra-constitutional measures taken by Musharraf, Rice said, urging restraint so violence can be avoided.
In Britain, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said in a statement, "We recognize the threat to peace and security faced by the country, but its future rests on harnessing the power of democracy and the rule of law to achieve the goals of stability, development and countering terrorism. I am gravely concerned by the measures adopted today, which will take Pakistan further from these goals."
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who left Pakistan last week to visit her family in Dubai, arrived in Karachi on Saturday.
She returned to Pakistan last month, despite death threats, after several years in exile.
On October 18, upon her return, at least 130 people were killed when a suicide attacker tried to assassinate her. Bhutto was lightly wounded, but escaped largely unharmed.
Bhutto has pledged to help her party succeed in January's parliamentary elections. She hopes to gain a third term as prime minister, possibly under a power-sharing deal with Musharraf.
"The people of Pakistan will not accept it," Bhutto spokesman Farhatullah Babar said of the emergency declaration. "We condemn this move."
The declaration prompted a few hundred people to take to the streets in protest, but police and paramilitary groups blocked Islamabad's main roads and dispersed the crowds.
Earlier, private networks had reported the declaration was imminent as top officials huddled at Musharraf's residence in Rawalpindi. Shortly after that report, most media channels went off the air in an apparent blackout, although some flickered off and on.
The declaration could delay approaching parliamentary elections, according to CNN's Nic Robertson. It also could provide Musharraf with a reason to continue serving as the nation's military chief.
The nation's political atmosphere has been tense for months, with Pakistani leaders in August considering a state of emergency because of the growing security threats in the country's lawless tribal regions. But Musharraf, influenced in part by Rice, held off on the move. Video Watch a report on the volatile situation in Pakistan »
Since that time, Musharraf has faced a flurry of criticism from the opposition, who demanded he abandon his military position before becoming eligible to seek a third presidential term. Musharraf garnered a vast majority of votes in presidential elections last month; however, those results have not been certified by the nation's high court.
advertisement
For weeks, the country has been coasting in a state of political limbo while the Supreme Court works to tackle legal challenges filed by the opposition that call into question Musharraf's eligibility to hold office. Some have speculated that the declaration of emergency was tied to rumors the court is planning to rule against Musharraf.
Musharraf, who led the 1999 coup as Pakistan's army chief, has seen his power erode since the failed effort to oust Chaudhry. His administration is also struggling to contain a surge in Islamic militancy.
SC verdict is law of land, says Pak judge
Even as the Pakistani army moved in to occupy strategically important places and issue pack-up orders to the country’s Supreme Court, justice Wajihuddin Ahmed who contested the recent Pakistani presidential elections (unsuccessfully) against General Pervez Musharraf has said the decision to set aside the emergency by an eight member bench of the Supreme Court is the law of the land.
"The emergency has been set aside by the eight member bench and as of now there is legally no emergency," said justice Wajihuddin who was the Chief Justice of the Sind high court and a judge of the Supreme Court before resigning.
In a telephone interview, Ahmed said that emergency stood suspended. When asked what would happen in case the Pakistani army refused to accept the Supreme Court decision, Ahmed said that the world would be surprised in the coming days.
"It is just not just the Supreme Court but a huge section of the army that is not interested in the emergency. If I know the armed forces well and I have my sources, the Pakistan army is very much for the Constitution and the rule of the law," he said. He added that the Pakistani army was not for a one man rule and that it would be evident soon.
Blaming the advisors of President Musharraf for the imposition of the emergency, Ahmed said that Musharraf’s advisors had been misguiding him and ill advising him. "I think his advisors are trying to create more enemies for him by giving him incorrect advice," he said. He added that with such advisors, Musharraf was creating more enemies than friends.
"The emergency has been set aside by the eight member bench and as of now there is legally no emergency," said justice Wajihuddin who was the Chief Justice of the Sind high court and a judge of the Supreme Court before resigning.
In a telephone interview, Ahmed said that emergency stood suspended. When asked what would happen in case the Pakistani army refused to accept the Supreme Court decision, Ahmed said that the world would be surprised in the coming days.
"It is just not just the Supreme Court but a huge section of the army that is not interested in the emergency. If I know the armed forces well and I have my sources, the Pakistan army is very much for the Constitution and the rule of the law," he said. He added that the Pakistani army was not for a one man rule and that it would be evident soon.
Blaming the advisors of President Musharraf for the imposition of the emergency, Ahmed said that Musharraf’s advisors had been misguiding him and ill advising him. "I think his advisors are trying to create more enemies for him by giving him incorrect advice," he said. He added that with such advisors, Musharraf was creating more enemies than friends.
Online, shock and awe
ISLAMABAD: Why, Mush why?" That’s the question most Pakistani youngsters are asking online. Within minutes of emergency being declared in the country, the Facebook status of a whole lot of Pakistanis changed. From "I want the channels back!!! how do I know whats happening!!!!!damned emergencyyyy" to "sad that a state of emergency has been declared in Pakistan" and "Ohhhh sh**! Martial law!" the www is full of young Pakistanis eager to know all they can about the political crisis in Islamabad.
‘‘There are no news channels beaming except PTV. So there’s no way to find out what the status in Islamabad is,’’ says Rehaan (name changed on request), a media executive from Karachi. ‘‘I got on to the BBC website and read that security has been deployed in the offices of all private TV channels. I tried calling up my cousins in Islamabad but all phone lines are busy."
Across the internet, discussion boards are buzzing with news of the Musharraf-imposed emergency. 20-somethings are messaging back and forth, trying to make some sense of how the situation will impact their daily lives. ‘‘An emergency means that somebody else is making the rules and taking decisions for me. That can never be good,’’ says a Pakistani blogger. "I’m in shock because even though we expected it, it’s just so so sad,’’ says a banker in Karachi.
‘‘Does this mean I can’t go to work? How long will this emergency last? Can’t anybody question Musharraf? How will we know when it has ended?’’ asks a 26-year-old management trainee.
The streets of Karachi are calm so far. But everyone expected this. On the phone from Karachi, a 24-year-old ad-sales executive confides: "There’s sadness and disappointment over the situation but most of all, there’s a huge seense of curiosity. Nobody knows what will happen and that’s very disconcerting."
‘‘There are no news channels beaming except PTV. So there’s no way to find out what the status in Islamabad is,’’ says Rehaan (name changed on request), a media executive from Karachi. ‘‘I got on to the BBC website and read that security has been deployed in the offices of all private TV channels. I tried calling up my cousins in Islamabad but all phone lines are busy."
Across the internet, discussion boards are buzzing with news of the Musharraf-imposed emergency. 20-somethings are messaging back and forth, trying to make some sense of how the situation will impact their daily lives. ‘‘An emergency means that somebody else is making the rules and taking decisions for me. That can never be good,’’ says a Pakistani blogger. "I’m in shock because even though we expected it, it’s just so so sad,’’ says a banker in Karachi.
‘‘Does this mean I can’t go to work? How long will this emergency last? Can’t anybody question Musharraf? How will we know when it has ended?’’ asks a 26-year-old management trainee.
The streets of Karachi are calm so far. But everyone expected this. On the phone from Karachi, a 24-year-old ad-sales executive confides: "There’s sadness and disappointment over the situation but most of all, there’s a huge seense of curiosity. Nobody knows what will happen and that’s very disconcerting."
CHRONOLOGY-Pakistan's political crisis
Nov 3 (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday imposed emergency rule in a move that will put off elections due in January.
Here is a timeline of some key political events over recent months.
* March 9, 2007: Musharraf suspends Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on allegations of misconduct. Lawyers rally to the top judge and Musharraf's popularity plummets as their pro-democracy campaign grows.
* July 10: After a week-long siege, Musharraf orders troops to storm the Red Mosque in Islamabad to crush a Taliban-style movement based there. At least 105 people are killed in the raid. A wave of deadly militant attacks and suicide bombings follow.
* July 20: Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Chaudhry, dealing a blow to Musharraf's authority.
* July 27: Musharraf meets ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Abu Dhabi to thrash out how to move the country towards a civilian-led democracy. Bhutto sets conditions including that Musharraf steps down as army chief, talks are inconclusive.
* Sept 10: Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister Musharraf deposed eight years ago and subsequently exiled, is arrested at Islamabad airport. The Supreme Court had cleared his return, and is hearing petitions that the government was in contempt of court for putting Sharif on a flight to Saudia Arabia, where he still languishes.
* Oct 2: Musharraf designates a successor as army chief, in the most concrete move towards making good a pledge to step down he first made in Dec. 2003. Government announces it is dropping corruption charges against Bhutto, clearing way for her return.
* Oct 19: About 139 people killed by an attempted suicide bomb assassination of Bhutto during a procession through Karachi on returning from eight years of self-imposed exile. The attack is one of the deadliest ever in Pakistan.
* Nov 2: Supreme Court reconvenes to hear challenges whether Musharraf was eligible to stand for re-election by parliament on Oct. 6, while still army chief. His current term expires on Nov. 15. Separately, sources say about 800 people have died, more than half of them in suicide bombings, since the storming of the Red Mosque in July.
* Nov 3 - Musharraf imposes emergency rule.
Here is a timeline of some key political events over recent months.
* March 9, 2007: Musharraf suspends Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on allegations of misconduct. Lawyers rally to the top judge and Musharraf's popularity plummets as their pro-democracy campaign grows.
* July 10: After a week-long siege, Musharraf orders troops to storm the Red Mosque in Islamabad to crush a Taliban-style movement based there. At least 105 people are killed in the raid. A wave of deadly militant attacks and suicide bombings follow.
* July 20: Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Chaudhry, dealing a blow to Musharraf's authority.
* July 27: Musharraf meets ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Abu Dhabi to thrash out how to move the country towards a civilian-led democracy. Bhutto sets conditions including that Musharraf steps down as army chief, talks are inconclusive.
* Sept 10: Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister Musharraf deposed eight years ago and subsequently exiled, is arrested at Islamabad airport. The Supreme Court had cleared his return, and is hearing petitions that the government was in contempt of court for putting Sharif on a flight to Saudia Arabia, where he still languishes.
* Oct 2: Musharraf designates a successor as army chief, in the most concrete move towards making good a pledge to step down he first made in Dec. 2003. Government announces it is dropping corruption charges against Bhutto, clearing way for her return.
* Oct 19: About 139 people killed by an attempted suicide bomb assassination of Bhutto during a procession through Karachi on returning from eight years of self-imposed exile. The attack is one of the deadliest ever in Pakistan.
* Nov 2: Supreme Court reconvenes to hear challenges whether Musharraf was eligible to stand for re-election by parliament on Oct. 6, while still army chief. His current term expires on Nov. 15. Separately, sources say about 800 people have died, more than half of them in suicide bombings, since the storming of the Red Mosque in July.
* Nov 3 - Musharraf imposes emergency rule.
Martial Law by Another Name in Pakistan
According to media reports, a nationwide emergency has been imposed here in Pakistan. All independent media channels have been forcibly taken off the air. Paramilitary forces have surrounded the Supreme Court building in the capital. However, this is only an emergency in name: in reality it is yet another martial law proclamation.
Under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, the regime may impose an emergency if the country is facing external aggression or if there is serious internal turmoil. The Constitution has been placed in abeyance for the second time by General Pervez Musharraf. A Provisional Constitutional Order has been proclaimed, as was the case in 1999 when the military regime took over. The proclamation of emergency has been issued by the general in his capacity as the chief of the armed forces and not as the President of Pakistan.
The proclamation of emergency states that the regime has taken this action to curb a judiciary which has stepped out of line; has encroached upon the domains of the executive and the legislature; and is hampering the regime’s efforts at curbing extremism.
The last claim is meant specifically for the regime’s backers and potential detractors in Washington. The truth, evident to the overwhelming majority of Pakistanis is that this action was motivated by the fears that the Supreme Court may decide to invalidate General Musharraf’s re-election as President. The case was scheduled to be decided by next Tuesday.
According to the reports, eight-member bench of the Supreme Court has already declared the PCO and the proclamation of emergency to be unconstitutional. The Supreme Court and High Court judges are being asked to take a new oath under the PCO. The Chief Justice and a majority of Supreme Court and High Court judges have not been invited to take the oath, meaning thereby that the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been sacked for the second time this year.
While the regime shall attempt to crack down on the media and protests in Pakistan at home over the coming days, internationally it will forward the claim that the Supreme Court’s activism was threatening to destabilize the regime and hence undermining American interests in the War on Terror. The regime shall also attempt to present the softer face of an emergency. It must be realized that political leaders and activist lawyers are already being arrested all over the country. Fundamental freedoms have been suspended and the rights of the protesters shall in all likelihood be viciously trampled upon.
In short, martial law by another name is just as brutal!
Under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, the regime may impose an emergency if the country is facing external aggression or if there is serious internal turmoil. The Constitution has been placed in abeyance for the second time by General Pervez Musharraf. A Provisional Constitutional Order has been proclaimed, as was the case in 1999 when the military regime took over. The proclamation of emergency has been issued by the general in his capacity as the chief of the armed forces and not as the President of Pakistan.
The proclamation of emergency states that the regime has taken this action to curb a judiciary which has stepped out of line; has encroached upon the domains of the executive and the legislature; and is hampering the regime’s efforts at curbing extremism.
The last claim is meant specifically for the regime’s backers and potential detractors in Washington. The truth, evident to the overwhelming majority of Pakistanis is that this action was motivated by the fears that the Supreme Court may decide to invalidate General Musharraf’s re-election as President. The case was scheduled to be decided by next Tuesday.
According to the reports, eight-member bench of the Supreme Court has already declared the PCO and the proclamation of emergency to be unconstitutional. The Supreme Court and High Court judges are being asked to take a new oath under the PCO. The Chief Justice and a majority of Supreme Court and High Court judges have not been invited to take the oath, meaning thereby that the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been sacked for the second time this year.
While the regime shall attempt to crack down on the media and protests in Pakistan at home over the coming days, internationally it will forward the claim that the Supreme Court’s activism was threatening to destabilize the regime and hence undermining American interests in the War on Terror. The regime shall also attempt to present the softer face of an emergency. It must be realized that political leaders and activist lawyers are already being arrested all over the country. Fundamental freedoms have been suspended and the rights of the protesters shall in all likelihood be viciously trampled upon.
In short, martial law by another name is just as brutal!
Dogar new Chief Justice of Pakistan
Islamabad (PTI): Shortly after clamping Emergency, Pakistan government headed by Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday nightappointed Abdul Hameed Dogar as the country's new Chief Justice to succeed Iftikhar Mohd Chaudhary who became an icon of anti-Musharraf movement.
Dogar, one of the judges of the Supreme Court who had heared a petition challenging the continuance of Chaudhary as Chief Justice, was sworn in in his new post.
He is also among five judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order which came into force following imposition of Emergency.
Dogar, one of the judges of the Supreme Court who had heared a petition challenging the continuance of Chaudhary as Chief Justice, was sworn in in his new post.
He is also among five judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order which came into force following imposition of Emergency.
US disappointed as Musharraf sets emergency rule
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Saturday said it was disappointed by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule and called on him to stick to a pledge to hold free elections early next year.
"This action is very disappointing," White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
"President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office," Johndroe added.
Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against challenges from Islamist militants, a hostile judiciary and political rivals.
"All parties involved should move along the democratic path peacefully and quickly," Johndroe said.
Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while on a visit to Turkey, said she was "deeply disturbed" by Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule, calling it a step backward for democracy.
"The U.S. has made very clear that it does not support extra-constitutional measures as they would take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule," Rice told reporters as she was taking off from Turkey.
"We will be urging the commitment to hold free and fair elections be kept and we will be urging calm on all parties," she said.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in the past few months with a wave of suicide attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, including one last month that killed 139 people.
"This action is very disappointing," White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
"President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office," Johndroe added.
Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against challenges from Islamist militants, a hostile judiciary and political rivals.
"All parties involved should move along the democratic path peacefully and quickly," Johndroe said.
Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while on a visit to Turkey, said she was "deeply disturbed" by Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule, calling it a step backward for democracy.
"The U.S. has made very clear that it does not support extra-constitutional measures as they would take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule," Rice told reporters as she was taking off from Turkey.
"We will be urging the commitment to hold free and fair elections be kept and we will be urging calm on all parties," she said.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in the past few months with a wave of suicide attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, including one last month that killed 139 people.
TIMELINE: Pakistan President Musharraf's highs and lows
Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against challenges from Islamist militants, a hostile judiciary and political rivals.
Here are some main events in his political career:
October 7, 1998 - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appoints General Musharraf army chief but their relationship breaks down over the Kargil border conflict with India the next year.
October 13, 1999 - Musharraf takes power following a bloodless coup after Sharif sacked Musharraf a day earlier while the general was on his way back from Sri Lanka. The country was virtually bankrupt and the coup was relatively popular. Sharif is sent into exile a year later.
June 20, 2001 - Musharraf is sworn in as president but retains his army chief post.
September 12, 2001 - A day after al Qaeda attacked the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell tells Musharraf: "you are either with us or against us". A week later, Musharraf announces Pakistan has joined the U.S.-led war on terrorism.
April 30, 2002 - Musharraf wins a controversial referendum on extending his rule for five more years.
July 6, 2002 - Musharraf imposes laws effectively barring former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Sharif from power.
December 14 and 25, 2003 - Musharraf survives two al Qaeda inspired assassination attempts in Rawalpindi. Low-ranking army and air force personnel are implicated in the first attack.
December 24, 2003 - Musharraf announces he will step down as army chief by the end of 2004.
January, 2004 - Musharraf and India's then prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, agree to a peace dialogue less than two years after the nuclear-armed nations went to the brink of war. The neighbors have fought three wars since 1947.
December 30, 2004 - Musharraf announces he is going back on his pledge to step down as army chief.
October 2005 - Musharraf rallies the country and the army emerges with credit for leading relief efforts after an earthquake kills 73,000 people.
September 2006 - Musharraf launches his autobiography "In the Line of Fire" in New York.
March 9, 2007 - Musharraf suspends Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on allegations of misconduct. Lawyers rally to the top judge and Musharraf's popularity plummets as their pro-democracy campaign draws support.
July 6 - Assassins try to kill Musharraf, but his plane had taken off and was far away before they opened fire from a rooftop close to the military airfield in Rawalpindi.
July 10 - After a week-long siege, Musharraf orders troops to storm the Red Mosque in Islamabad to crush a Taliban-style movement. At least 105 people are killed.
July 20 - Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Chaudhry, dealing a blow to Musharraf's authority.
September 10 - Sharif tries to return from exile but is arrested at Islamabad airport and deported to Saudi Arabia, despite having clearance from the Supreme Court to return.
September 18 - Musharraf's lawyers tell the Supreme Court he will quit as army chief if re-elected president.
October 2 - Musharraf designates the former head of the main intelligence agency, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, as his successor as army chief. The government announces it is ready to drop corruption charges against Bhutto.
October 6 - Musharraf wins most votes in a presidential election but has to wait for the Supreme Court to confirm the legality of his re-election.
Oct 19 - About 139 people killed by an attempted suicide bomb assassination of Bhutto during a procession through Karachi on returning from eight years of self-imposed exile.
Nov 2 - Supreme Court reconvenes to hear challenges whether Musharraf was eligible to stand for re-election by parliament on October 6.
Nov 3 - Musharraf imposes emergency rule.
Here are some main events in his political career:
October 7, 1998 - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appoints General Musharraf army chief but their relationship breaks down over the Kargil border conflict with India the next year.
October 13, 1999 - Musharraf takes power following a bloodless coup after Sharif sacked Musharraf a day earlier while the general was on his way back from Sri Lanka. The country was virtually bankrupt and the coup was relatively popular. Sharif is sent into exile a year later.
June 20, 2001 - Musharraf is sworn in as president but retains his army chief post.
September 12, 2001 - A day after al Qaeda attacked the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell tells Musharraf: "you are either with us or against us". A week later, Musharraf announces Pakistan has joined the U.S.-led war on terrorism.
April 30, 2002 - Musharraf wins a controversial referendum on extending his rule for five more years.
July 6, 2002 - Musharraf imposes laws effectively barring former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Sharif from power.
December 14 and 25, 2003 - Musharraf survives two al Qaeda inspired assassination attempts in Rawalpindi. Low-ranking army and air force personnel are implicated in the first attack.
December 24, 2003 - Musharraf announces he will step down as army chief by the end of 2004.
January, 2004 - Musharraf and India's then prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, agree to a peace dialogue less than two years after the nuclear-armed nations went to the brink of war. The neighbors have fought three wars since 1947.
December 30, 2004 - Musharraf announces he is going back on his pledge to step down as army chief.
October 2005 - Musharraf rallies the country and the army emerges with credit for leading relief efforts after an earthquake kills 73,000 people.
September 2006 - Musharraf launches his autobiography "In the Line of Fire" in New York.
March 9, 2007 - Musharraf suspends Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on allegations of misconduct. Lawyers rally to the top judge and Musharraf's popularity plummets as their pro-democracy campaign draws support.
July 6 - Assassins try to kill Musharraf, but his plane had taken off and was far away before they opened fire from a rooftop close to the military airfield in Rawalpindi.
July 10 - After a week-long siege, Musharraf orders troops to storm the Red Mosque in Islamabad to crush a Taliban-style movement. At least 105 people are killed.
July 20 - Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Chaudhry, dealing a blow to Musharraf's authority.
September 10 - Sharif tries to return from exile but is arrested at Islamabad airport and deported to Saudi Arabia, despite having clearance from the Supreme Court to return.
September 18 - Musharraf's lawyers tell the Supreme Court he will quit as army chief if re-elected president.
October 2 - Musharraf designates the former head of the main intelligence agency, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, as his successor as army chief. The government announces it is ready to drop corruption charges against Bhutto.
October 6 - Musharraf wins most votes in a presidential election but has to wait for the Supreme Court to confirm the legality of his re-election.
Oct 19 - About 139 people killed by an attempted suicide bomb assassination of Bhutto during a procession through Karachi on returning from eight years of self-imposed exile.
Nov 2 - Supreme Court reconvenes to hear challenges whether Musharraf was eligible to stand for re-election by parliament on October 6.
Nov 3 - Musharraf imposes emergency rule.
Year of living dangerously for Musharraf
New Delhi: It was the year of living dangerously for an embattled General Pervez Musharraf - a chain of events that included the suspension of Chief Justice and a spate of terrorist attacks on the way, culminating in the imposition of emergency on Saturday that was triggered by the fear of losing power he has enjoyed for over eight years.
In many ways, it's the make-or-break year for Musharraf as he seeks re-election - elections are slated for January next year - eight years after he overthrew the elected government of Nawaz Sharif and became the ruler of Pakistan eight years ago.
Musharraf declares emergency in Pakistan
His latest move - declaring emergency - is powered part by desperation to hold on to power tenaciously and partly by a very real need to crush the juggernaut of extremism in his country that he has characterised as a "liberal modern country" in his autobiography In the Line of Fire.
The imposition of emergency was in fact aimed at pre-empting the Supreme Court's hearing on Monday which was to decide whether Musharraf was eligible for re-election while remaining army chief. Two months ago when the rumours of emergency were doing the rounds, the US intervened and made it clear that they will not tolerate any deviation from Musharraf's plan to pass power to civilian democracy.
But that was a temporary reprieve. Musharraf has been in the firing line virtually the whole year from literally all sides, left, right and centre. Civil society, including lawyers and journalists and good old liberal Pakistanis, that once lionised him and took his military rule in good humour presuming that he is going to be better than corrupt democrats turned against him in vengeance after he arbitrarily sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary on March 7 this year. In a blow to Musharraf's authority, the Supreme Court reinstated Chaudhary July 20.
The religious right, comprising fire-spewing fundamentalists and the ISI mentors of Taliban furious with Musharraf for genuflecting at the altar of the almighty America, put up a grim battle to reclaim their fading relevance - a festering issue that left Musharraf with no choice but to order army action against radicals holed up inside Lal Masjid in July 10 this year that left over 100 people dead.
This was followed by a wave of deadly militant attacks and suicide bombings, some of them targeted at army installations.
In fact, the new strident assertion by the mullah-jihadi forces nexus resulting in a spate of suicide attacks underscored the need for tackling radical extremist head on. "The Talibanisation of the Pakistan society was going too far," says Nilofer Bakhtiar, former tourism minister.
The most deadly and spectacular terrorist attack this year was when a suicide bomb assassination ripped through Bhutto's convoy October 19, which killed 139 people and left hundreds injured. Bhutto was heading a procession through Karachi on returning from eight years of self-imposed exile.
Nearly 800 people have died, most of them in suicide bombings, since the storming of the Lal Masjid in July.
Sceptics may say raising the bogey about extremism is just a ploy by Musharraf to perpetuate his self-rule and consolidate his hold over the power base, but the scare of a Taliabanied Pakistan is very real.
Another important event in Pakistan's national life this year - and one that shows Musharraf's paranoia about losing power was - the return of Sharif on September 10. Sahrif was arrested within hours of arriving at Islamabad airport and sent back to Saudi Arabia.
Full coverage: Power game in Pakistan
As though jihadi forces were not headache enough, America, another crucial pillar of the trinity which presides over Pakistan including Allah and Army, was not too happy with Musharraf for failing to deliver on his commitments in the war against terror.
A resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, aided and abetted by a section of the Pakistan military establishment, was predictably a sore issue with the powers-that-be in Washington.
The American backers of Pakistan were quick to put Musharraf on notice and pushed him hard to hold elections and restore some semblance of democracy in that country. They also promoted a power-sharing understanding between former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Musharraf.
Democracy, Pakistani style
Musharraf's current term expires on November 15. Detractors of Musharraf may wish otherwise, but this uncanny military man has survived many an assassination attempt and may as well ride over this year of living dangerously.
In many ways, it's the make-or-break year for Musharraf as he seeks re-election - elections are slated for January next year - eight years after he overthrew the elected government of Nawaz Sharif and became the ruler of Pakistan eight years ago.
Musharraf declares emergency in Pakistan
His latest move - declaring emergency - is powered part by desperation to hold on to power tenaciously and partly by a very real need to crush the juggernaut of extremism in his country that he has characterised as a "liberal modern country" in his autobiography In the Line of Fire.
The imposition of emergency was in fact aimed at pre-empting the Supreme Court's hearing on Monday which was to decide whether Musharraf was eligible for re-election while remaining army chief. Two months ago when the rumours of emergency were doing the rounds, the US intervened and made it clear that they will not tolerate any deviation from Musharraf's plan to pass power to civilian democracy.
But that was a temporary reprieve. Musharraf has been in the firing line virtually the whole year from literally all sides, left, right and centre. Civil society, including lawyers and journalists and good old liberal Pakistanis, that once lionised him and took his military rule in good humour presuming that he is going to be better than corrupt democrats turned against him in vengeance after he arbitrarily sacked Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary on March 7 this year. In a blow to Musharraf's authority, the Supreme Court reinstated Chaudhary July 20.
The religious right, comprising fire-spewing fundamentalists and the ISI mentors of Taliban furious with Musharraf for genuflecting at the altar of the almighty America, put up a grim battle to reclaim their fading relevance - a festering issue that left Musharraf with no choice but to order army action against radicals holed up inside Lal Masjid in July 10 this year that left over 100 people dead.
This was followed by a wave of deadly militant attacks and suicide bombings, some of them targeted at army installations.
In fact, the new strident assertion by the mullah-jihadi forces nexus resulting in a spate of suicide attacks underscored the need for tackling radical extremist head on. "The Talibanisation of the Pakistan society was going too far," says Nilofer Bakhtiar, former tourism minister.
The most deadly and spectacular terrorist attack this year was when a suicide bomb assassination ripped through Bhutto's convoy October 19, which killed 139 people and left hundreds injured. Bhutto was heading a procession through Karachi on returning from eight years of self-imposed exile.
Nearly 800 people have died, most of them in suicide bombings, since the storming of the Lal Masjid in July.
Sceptics may say raising the bogey about extremism is just a ploy by Musharraf to perpetuate his self-rule and consolidate his hold over the power base, but the scare of a Taliabanied Pakistan is very real.
Another important event in Pakistan's national life this year - and one that shows Musharraf's paranoia about losing power was - the return of Sharif on September 10. Sahrif was arrested within hours of arriving at Islamabad airport and sent back to Saudi Arabia.
Full coverage: Power game in Pakistan
As though jihadi forces were not headache enough, America, another crucial pillar of the trinity which presides over Pakistan including Allah and Army, was not too happy with Musharraf for failing to deliver on his commitments in the war against terror.
A resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, aided and abetted by a section of the Pakistan military establishment, was predictably a sore issue with the powers-that-be in Washington.
The American backers of Pakistan were quick to put Musharraf on notice and pushed him hard to hold elections and restore some semblance of democracy in that country. They also promoted a power-sharing understanding between former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Musharraf.
Democracy, Pakistani style
Musharraf's current term expires on November 15. Detractors of Musharraf may wish otherwise, but this uncanny military man has survived many an assassination attempt and may as well ride over this year of living dangerously.
Musharraf declares "state of emergency" in Pakistan
President Pervez Musharraf has imposed a state of emergency in Pakistan because of mounting militant attacks and "interference" by members of the judiciary.
Those were the reasons cited in the presidential order. Troops are now surrounding the state television station and the Supreme Court. The constitution has been suspended, senior judges arrested, and all telephone lines inside the country cut off.
The US says its extremely disturbed by the situation and had urged Musharraf to give up his army uniform.
The president made his move as Supreme Court judges were set to rule on whether his re-election last month was legal, given he was still army chief.
A new chief justice has now been appointed.
Pakistan's police and military personnel have been attacked on numerous fronts in a wave of fundamentalist violence in recent months, but Western governments urged Musharraf not to do anything which would threaten a return to full democracy.
The state of emergency is expected to delay the parliamentary elections planned for January 2008 by up to 12 months.
Those were the reasons cited in the presidential order. Troops are now surrounding the state television station and the Supreme Court. The constitution has been suspended, senior judges arrested, and all telephone lines inside the country cut off.
The US says its extremely disturbed by the situation and had urged Musharraf to give up his army uniform.
The president made his move as Supreme Court judges were set to rule on whether his re-election last month was legal, given he was still army chief.
A new chief justice has now been appointed.
Pakistan's police and military personnel have been attacked on numerous fronts in a wave of fundamentalist violence in recent months, but Western governments urged Musharraf not to do anything which would threaten a return to full democracy.
The state of emergency is expected to delay the parliamentary elections planned for January 2008 by up to 12 months.
Several lawyers opposed to Musharraf arrested-judge
ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Pakistani police arrested several lawyers opposed to President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday, a former judge said.
Earlier, Musharraf imposed emergency rule citing rising militancy and interference by the judiciary.
"We have confirmed reports of several lawyers' arrests in Quetta and Karachi and we have asked many others to go underground because police are conducting raids," Tariq Mehmud, a former judge who stood up to Musharraf when he took power in a bloodless coup in 1999, told Reuters.
Mehmud was part of the legal team led by Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan, who was detained earlier in Islamabad, that opposed Musharraf's bid for re-election last month while he was still army chief.
"We have called an emergency meeting tomorrow to chalk out a plan, although we are going to boycott courts all over Pakistan on Monday," Mehmud said.
Musharraf's decision to impose emergency rule came as he awaited a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election last month while still army chief.
Earlier, Musharraf imposed emergency rule citing rising militancy and interference by the judiciary.
"We have confirmed reports of several lawyers' arrests in Quetta and Karachi and we have asked many others to go underground because police are conducting raids," Tariq Mehmud, a former judge who stood up to Musharraf when he took power in a bloodless coup in 1999, told Reuters.
Mehmud was part of the legal team led by Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan, who was detained earlier in Islamabad, that opposed Musharraf's bid for re-election last month while he was still army chief.
"We have called an emergency meeting tomorrow to chalk out a plan, although we are going to boycott courts all over Pakistan on Monday," Mehmud said.
Musharraf's decision to impose emergency rule came as he awaited a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election last month while still army chief.
Musharraf not a reliable partner: BJP
New Delhi (PTI): Denouncing imposition of emergency in Pakistan, BJP on Saturday said the move underlines that President Pervez Musharraf was not a reliable ally in the fight against "jehadi terror" and asked the UPA government to mount pressure for restoration of democracy in that country.
Expressing solidarity with the people of Pakistan in this "hour of trial", Leader of the Opposition L K Advani said the developments in that country are a "matter of deep concern" for the entire international community and a cause of greater worry to neighbour India.
The struggle for democracy and fight against terrorism, fuelled by religious extremism, are "inseparable" in Pakistan and "the international community must understand that those who imposed the emergency for perpetuation of military rule in Pakistan cannot be a reliable ally in the struggle against jehadi terrorism," he said in a statement.
"I would like to convey my deepest solidarity to the people of Pakistan in this hour of trial, and hope that their struggle for democracy and rule of law will succeed soon," he said.
Reacting to the developments, Former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said "Musharraf has showed his true colour of a military dictator by bringing an end to democracy."
"Considering the fact that Pakistan has been established as an epicentre of terrorism, the move is not only a concern for South Asia but also to the whole world," he said noting that world forums must ensure that democracy is restored in Pakistan.
"We would like to urge the government to secure our borders and build up international pressure for restoration of democracy in the neigbouring country," he added.
Emergency derails poll hopes
Dubai: Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday declared emergency rule and suspended the constitution, sparking a chorus of condemnation and concern around the world.
Minutes after the militarty ruler announced a provisional constitutional order, troops were deployed around the Supreme Court, state-run TV stations and other inistitutions across Islamabad.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who along with eight other judges refused to endorse the emergency order, was told that his services "were no longer required". He was swiftly replaced by Supreme Court judge Hameed Dogar. The president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Aitzaz Ahsan, was arrested shortly afterwards.The emergency came as the court was due to rule on the legality of Musharraf's re-election victory in October. Analysts and political observers quoted by the BBC said the government feared the court verdict would go against Musharraf and the emergency was seen as a desparate bid by the army chief to reassert his flagging authority against political rivals and rising militancy.
The declaration raises doubts about whether national elections will be held as planned in January.
The text of the declaration of emergency said that Musharraf invoked emergency rule because of mounting militant attacks and interference by members of the judiciary, which was seen as weakening Pakistan's fight against terror.
The global community reacted with concern and regret. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice criticised the measures as "highly regrettable" and urged Pakistan to return to democracy. The UK, Sweden and other Western powers expressed "grave concern" over the situation, while nuclear neighbour India called for a speedy return to "normalcy" and "democracy".
Musharraf Declares Emergency in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday, suspending the constitution, replacing the chief justice before a crucial Supreme Court ruling on his future as president, and cutting communications in the capital. Paramilitary troops and police swarmed the capital.
His leadership threatened by the impending court ruling and an Islamic movement that has spread to the capital, Musharraf's emergency order accused some judges of "working at cross purposes with the executive" and "weakening the government's resolve" to fight terrorism.
Seven of the 17 Supreme Court judges immediately rejected the emergency, which suspended the current constitution. Police blocked entry to the Supreme Court building and later took the deposed chief justice and other judges away in a convoy, witnesses said.
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a longtime rival of Musharraf who recently returned from eight years of exile, flew back to Pakistan from Dubai where she was visiting family and left the airport under police escort. Her house was surrounded by paramilitary troops.
The government halted all television transmissions in major cities other than state-controlled Pakistan TV. Telephone service in the capital, Islamabad, was cut.
The order drew swift complaints from the United States and Britain — Musharraf's main Western allies. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged restraint on all sides and a swift return to democracy in Pakistan.
The United States "does not support extraconstitutional measures," Rice said from Turkey, where she was participating in a conference with Iraq's neighbors.
But, in justification, the emergency order said "the constitution provides no solution for this situation, there is no way out except through emergent and extraordinary measures," it said.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday, suspending the constitution, replacing the chief justice before a crucial Supreme Court ruling on his future as president, and cutting communications in the capital. Paramilitary troops and police swarmed the capital.
The opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was flying from Dubai on Saturday. Her spokesman in London said she was already sitting in a plane at Karachi airport, waiting to see if she would be arrested or deported. Another party official said her flight was due to arrive later Saturday.
Seven of the 17 Supreme Court judges immediately rejected the emergency, which suspended the current constitution. Police blocked entry to the Supreme Court building and later took the deposed chief justice and other judges away in a convoy, witnesses said.
The government halted all television transmissions in major cities other than state-controlled Pakistan TV. Telephone service in the capital, Islamabad, was cut.
A copy of the emergency order obtained by The Associated Press justified the declaration on the grounds that "some members of the judiciary are working at cross purposes with the executive" and "weakening the government's resolve" to fight terrorism.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged restraint on all sides and a swift return to democracy in Pakistan.
The United States "does not support extraconstitutional measures," Rice said from Turkey, where she was participating in a conference with Iraq's neighbors.
Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and has been a close ally of the United States since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has struggled to contain spreading Islamic militancy that has centered along the Afghan border and spread to the capital and beyond.
Pakistanis have increasingly turned against the government of Musharraf, who failed earlier this year to oust Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry — the chief justice replaced Saturday.
Rice said that to her knowledge, U.S. officials had yet to hear directly from Musharraf after his declaration.
"Whatever happens we will be urging a quick return to civilian rule" Rice told reporters traveling with her, and a "return to constitutional order and the commitment to free and fair elections."
Crucial parliamentary elections meant to restore civilian rule are due by January. Musharraf himself was overwhelmingly re-elected last month by the current parliament, dominated by his ruling party, but the vote was challenged. The Supreme Court had been expected to rule imminently on whether he could run for president while still serving as army chief.
Bhutto, seen by many supporters as key to a possible return to democracy, went to Dubai after being targetted by assassins in Pakistan last month. Suicide bombers attacked her homecoming parade after eight years in exile, killing more than 140 people.
She was sitting on a plane at Karachi airport Saturday after returning from Dubai, said Wajid Hasan, a spokesman.
"She is waiting to see if she is going to be arrested or deported," Hasan said from London, adding that he had spoken to the former Pakistani prime minister by telephone while her plane was on the tarmac in Karachi.
But Fahmida Mirza, an information secretary for her Pakistan People's Party, said Bhutto had not yet arrived. The discrepancy could not immediately be explained.
Musharraf's order allows courts to function but suspends some fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, including freedom of speech. It also allows authorities to detain people without informing them of the charges.
Military vehicles patrolled and troops blocked roads in the administrative heart of the capital. Paramilitary troops behind rolled barbed wire blocked access to an official compound housing lawmakers — barring even wives, children and even a ruling party senator from entering. In Karachi, about 100 police and paramilitary troops surrounded Bhutto's house and a bomb disposal squad searched the building, witnesses said.
There were reports of gunfire in several districts of the city, but it appeared to be aerial firing, police said.
The emergency was expected to be followed by arrests of lawyers and other perceived opponents of the government, including civil society activists and possibly even members of the judiciary itself, a ruling party lawmaker said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Private Geo TV reported the arrest of the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Aitzaz Ahsan — a lawyer for Chaudhry in the case that led to his reinstatement in July.
With telephone lines cut, it was not possible to contact government spokesmen for confirmation.
Chaudhry and other judges drove out of the court building in a convoy of black cars over two hours after the emergency was declared, under police escort. They were being shifted to their official residences nearby. Officers stopped reporters from approaching.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was deported in September as he tried to return from exile, condemned the emergency and said Musharraf should resign. He also urged the people of Pakistan to rise against Musharraf.
"If you don't do it today, it will too late then," he told Geo TV from Saudi Arabia.
US State Department Calls Pakistan's Emergency Declaration a Setback
The United States says it is "deeply disturbed" by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's emergency declaration, describing it as a setback for Pakistani democracy.
A State Department spokesman in Washington Saturday said the United States expects Mr. Musharraf to uphold his commitments to holding elections and stepping down as army chief before taking the presidential oath of office on January 15. The spokesman said the United States stands with the people of Pakistan in supporting a democratic process and in countering violent extremism.
Britain expressed "grave concern" at General Musharraf's actions, and urged him to act within the constitution. British Foreign Secretary David Milibrand said that although Britain recognizes the threat to peace and security in Pakistan, stability can only be achieved through democracy and the rule of law.
An Indian Foreign ministry spokesman expressed regret for Pakistan's "difficult times," adding that India hopes normal conditions will soon be restored in the country.
Crisis grips Pakistan; Musharraf declares emergency rule
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been waiting for word from the nation’s Supreme Court about his grip on power. Today, he stopped waiting and declared emergency rule.
Musharraf issued a provisional constitutional order proclaiming the emergency and suspending the nation’s constitution, according to a statement read on state television.
The Supreme Court declared the state of emergency illegal, claiming Musharraf had no power to suspend the constitution, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry told CNN.
Shortly afterward, Chaudhry was expelled as chief justice, his office told CNN. Troops who came to Chaudhry’s office said arrangements were being made for his replacement.
It was the second time Chaudhry was removed from his post. His ousting by Musharraf in May prompted massive protests, and he was later reinstated.
In Islamabad, troops entered the Supreme Court and were surrounding the judges’ homes, according to CNN’s Syed Mohsin Naqvi.
Aitzaz Ahsan, a leading Pakistani attorney and president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was arrested at his home. A former interior minister, Ahsan represented Chaudry the first time he was forced to leave his post.
The Constitution has been suspended, and independent media outlets are off the air.
Atrios noted, “No one could have predicted that an unelected dictator who took power in a military coup would behave just like that.”
I was thinking along the same lines. Remember, Musharraf seized power in a military take-over, and later held an election in which his name was the only one on the ballot. President Bush hailed the Musharraf government as a “democracy.”
I’m also reminded of Newsweek’s recent cover story.
Today no other country on earth is arguably more dangerous than Pakistan. It has everything Osama bin Laden could ask for: political instability, a trusted network of radical Islamists, an abundance of angry young anti-Western recruits, secluded training areas, access to state-of-the-art electronic technology, regular air service to the West and security services that don’t always do what they’re supposed to do. (Unlike in Iraq or Afghanistan, there also aren’t thousands of American troops hunting down would-be terrorists.) Then there’s the country’s large and growing nuclear program. “If you were to look around the world for where Al Qaeda is going to find its bomb, it’s right in their backyard,” says Bruce Riedel, the former senior director for South Asia on the National Security Council.
The conventional story about Pakistan has been that it is an unstable nuclear power, with distant tribal areas in terrorist hands. What is new, and more frightening, is the extent to which Taliban and Qaeda elements have now turned much of the country, including some cities, into a base that gives jihadists more room to maneuver, both in Pakistan and beyond.
In recent months, as Musharraf has grown more and more unpopular after eight years of rule, Islamists have been emboldened. The homegrown militants who have hidden Al Qaeda’s leaders since the end of 2001 are no longer restricted to untamed mountain villages along the border. These Islamist fighters now operate relatively freely in cities like Karachi—a process the U.S. and Pakistani governments call “Talibanization.” Hammered by suicide bombers and Iraq-style IEDs and reluctant to make war on its countrymen, Pakistan’s demoralized military seems incapable of stopping the jihadists even in the cities.
And now, there’s martial law. Stay tuned.
U.S. disappointed as Musharraf sets emergency rule
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Saturday said it was disappointed by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule and called on him to stick to a pledge to hold free elections early next year.
"This action is very disappointing," White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
"President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office," Johndroe added.
Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against challenges from Islamist militants, a hostile judiciary and political rivals.
"All parties involved should move along the democratic path peacefully and quickly," Johndroe said.
Earlier, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while on a visit to Turkey, said she was "deeply disturbed" by Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule, calling it a step backward for democracy.
"The U.S. has made very clear that it does not support extra-constitutional measures as they would take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule," Rice told reporters as she was taking off from Turkey.
"We will be urging the commitment to hold free and fair elections be kept and we will be urging calm on all parties," she said.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in the past few months with a wave of suicide attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, including one last month that killed 139 people.
Musharraf Suspends Constitution, Sacks Chief Justice
Nov. 3 -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule because of ``judicial interference'' in his government, snubbing U.S. President George W. Bush's efforts to promote democracy in the world's second-largest Muslim nation.
``Some judges by overstepping the limits of judicial authority have taken over the executive and legislative functions,'' the government's proclamation of emergency today said. Musharraf, 64, sacked Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry, five months after a failed attempt to suspend the top judge. The president will address the nation at 11 p.m.
The suspension of the constitution for the first time since Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup came as the Supreme Court was nearing a decision on the legality of his re-election as president while also serving as army chief. The main gates of the Supreme Court in Islamabad were sealed by security forces after a seven-judge panel headed by Chaudhry earlier said any declaration of emergency would be illegal.
``This is primarily a pre-emptive move on President Musharraf's part to curb any attempts by the Supreme Court to deny him his presidential victory,'' Farzana Shaikh, an associate fellow at Chatham house in London, said in a telephone interview. ``No-one is in any doubt: This is a panic measure and could signal the beginning of the end for General Musharraf.''
The order may strain a tentative power sharing agreement between Musharraf and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto that spurred the former prime minister to return from eight years in exile last month. Bhutto, who left for Dubai on Nov. 1 after surviving an assassination attempt in Karachi, will return to Pakistan by tomorrow, spokesman Farhatullah Babar said in Islamabad.
Aziz Remains
Musharraf didn't dismiss the government of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the 342-member parliament, which is due to complete its five-year term on Nov. 15, state-run Pakistan Television reported. National parliamentary elections are supposed to be held by Jan. 15.
``Pakistan's chief of army staff has declared a state of emergency and issued a provisional constitutional order,'' according to a statement read on Pakistan Television.
Musharraf appointed Abdul Hameed Dogar, a Supreme Court judge, as the country's chief justice to replace Chaudhry. Three others judges were also appointed to the Supreme Court.
The president sparked the most serious opposition to his rule in March when he dismissed Chaudhry on charges of misusing authority. Lawyers and opposition parties staged nationwide demonstrations until a 13-member panel of Supreme Court judges reinstated Chaudhry in July.
Court Surrounded
The Pakistan Rangers, the nation's paramilitary force, occupied the buildings of the top court, parliament and PTV. Privately-run television news channels went off air across the country around 5 p.m. today.
``Some members of the judiciary are working at cross purposes with the executive and legislature in the fight against terrorism and extremism thereby weakening the government and the nation's resolve and diluting the efficacy of its actions to control this menace,'' the government statement said.
Musharraf is risking the billions of dollars of military and economic aid that Bush pumped into Pakistan in return for his support for the U.S. war on terror. Musharraf was on the brink of suspending parliamentary rule in August before U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned to urge him against that course, U.S. officials had said.
`Deeply Disturbed'
The U.S., in a statement released by State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, said it was ``deeply disturbed'' by Musharraf's imposition of a state of emergency and called it ``a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy'' that ``takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule.''
``The Bush administration will take a dim view of any attempt by President Musharraf to impose emergency rule,'' said Shaikh in London. ``It would certainly mean cutbacks in the type of aid Pakistan has enjoyed since 2001. That would bring very grave consequences.''
Musharraf, who has survived at least four assassination attempts by Islamic extremists since 2001, has faced his greatest challenge since he seized power in a military coup in 1999. Religious parties oppose his support for Bush's campaign against terrorism and the country's opposition parties are demanding his resignation.
The general won the mandate for a second five-year term on Oct. 6.
Stocks Slump
Pakistan's stocks slumped the most in two months on Nov. 1 after a suicide bomb attack, the second this week, killed at least eight people and concern mounted that the Supreme Court will rule Musharraf ineligible for a second term.
A suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a Pakistan Air Force bus, killing at least eight people and wounding 4 others near the industrial city of Faisalabad.
More than 450 people have been killed in bombings since security forces stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July, ending a challenge to the government by clerics seeking to impose Islamic law in the capital.
``This is akin to another martial law,'' Ahsan Iqbal, spokesman for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said in a phone interview. ``If the situation was such that emergency was necessary to save the country, then Musharraf is responsible and should have resigned.''
Former Prime Minister Bhutto said on Oct. 31 she had heard ``rumors'' Musharraf planned to impose a state of emergency, GEO television reported. Musharraf must respect the court's decision, she said.
``Pakistan Peoples' Party strongly condemns this decision and we will resist it in every way possible,'' Sherry Rehman, Bhutto's spokeswoman said in a phone interview from Karachi.
Twin Attacks
Bhutto, 54, who leads the second-biggest opposition party in Parliament, was the target of twin suicide bombings on Oct. 19 after she returned to Pakistan, ending eight years of self- imposed exile. At least 136 people were killed and over 500 were injured.
As part of the deal allowing her return, Bhutto did not object to Musharraf being re-elected Oct. 6 by the current Parliament and state legislatures, a vote boycotted by the opposition. Bhutto is hoping that the laws will be changed to allow her to run for a third term as prime minister in parliamentary elections.
Musharraf had agreed to give up control of the army by Nov. 15 as part of the deal.
Islamic parties oppose Musharraf's security operations in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan and his backing for the U.S.-led war on terrorism since 2001, when he ended Pakistan's support for the Taliban regime that sheltered al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The Taliban were ousted from power in Afghanistan in 2001.
Inside Pakistan During State of Emergency
The declaration of emergency came quietly.
Within hours those numbers would grow. When the declaration was made official, hundreds of police in riot gear gathered in front of President Pervez Musharraf's palace, the parliament building and the Supreme Court.
Steel and cement barriers were hastily put in place outside the buildings, independent local media outlets and major hotels. Once the police were in place, we watched several hundred paramilitary forces outside the palace disappear into a tree lined area leading up to the palace. Those forces would be called in if police were unable to handle the situation.
But very few civilians gathered outside the buildings: Life in the city seemed quite normal. Shops were open, and traffic was moving. People seemed oblivious to what was happening.
We were in an incredibly unique position watching this unfold. I had long planned to accompany Adm. William Fallon, who is the head of Central Command, on a trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan this week. And he had long planned meetings with President Pervez Musharraf. No one had any idea when the trip was scheduled that this would be the weekend that Musharraf would declare a state of emergency.
On Friday, I had a scheduled interview with Adm. Fallon after his meeting, but when the admiral returned from his meetings, it was clear that the session had gone far longer than planned and that things had not gone well.
Fallon warned Musharraf not to make a declaration of emergency, but Musharraf told the admiral he was going ahead with it anyway.
Fallon, it turned out, was the last U.S. official to meet with Musharraf before the declaration. But other U.S. officials had been trying to talk Musharraf out of it as well.
Fallon continued on with his prepared schedule. On Friday night, he attended a dinner with the newly named Army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, and senior officers at Army headquarters.
I attended the dinner as well. It was very formal, and no one was saying a word about what was about to happen. After the dinner, a Pakistani army band performed, Fallon and the general shook hands, and the admiral headed off.
Just hours after Fallon left Pakistan this morning for Afghanistan, Musharraf made his move. I changed plans and did not go onto Afghanistan with the admiral, having confirmed last night for "World News" that Musharraf was on the verge of declaring an emergency.
Musharraf Declares State of Emergency
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 3 — The Pakistani leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, declared a state of emergency on Saturday night, suspending the country’s Constitution, blacking out all independent television news reports and filling the streets of the capital with police officers and soldiers.
Skip to next paragraph 
Wally Santana/Associated Press
The police blocked off the administrative center in the capital city of Islamabad today.
Aamir Qureshi/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were deployed in Islamabad after a state of emergency was declared.
Aamir Qureshi/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
The police blocked off a road leading to Pakistan's Supreme Court today in Islamabad after Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency.
The move appeared to be an effort by General Musharraf to reassert his fading power in the face of growing opposition from the country’s Supreme Court, civilian political parties and hard-line Islamists. Pakistan’s Supreme Court was expected to rule within days on the legality of General Musharraf’s re-election last month as the country’s president, which opposition groups have said was improper.
The emergency declaration was in direct defiance of repeated calls this week from senior American officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, not to do so. A day earlier, the senior American military commander in the Middle East, Admiral William J. Fallon, told General Musharraf and his top generals in a meeting here that declaring emergency rule would jeopardize the extensive American financial support for the Pakistani military.
Ms. Rice personally intervened twice in the past four months to try to keep General Musharraf from imposing emergency rule, telephoning him at 2 a.m. Pakistani time in August. On Saturday, while traveling to Turkey for an Iraq security conference, she reinforced that message, saying, “I think it would be quite obvious that the United States wouldn’t be supportive of extra-constitutional means."
Soon after independent television stations went blank in the capital, just after 5 p.m., dozens of police forces surrounded the Supreme Court building, with justices still inside, as well as the chief justice’s home. The justices were ordered to sign a “provisional constitutional order” enabling the emergency decree, according to Western diplomats, with the government leaving implicit that any justices failing to do so would be dismissed.
At least 6 of the court’s 11 justices gathered in the court and rejected the order, according to an aide to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Aitzaz Ahsan, a prominent lawyer, who led protests against General Musharraf this spring, was detained by the police after saying that opposition groups would announce a schedule on Monday of nationwide strikes and protests.
Before being detained, he accused General Musharraf of “criminal flouting of the Constitution,” adding that “the people and the lawyers cannot be suspended.”
General Musharraf was expected to speak on national television late on Saturday evening. Pakistani government officials said Friday that emergency rule could be justified because of clashes in the past week between security forces and Islamic militants in the Swat Valley, in the North-West Frontier Province, and because of the increasing number of suicide attacks against military and police installations.
As of 9 p.m., Chief Justice Chaudhry and the other justices had gone to their homes, surrounded by police and with the phone lines cut, witnesses and officials said.
Analysts said the emergency-rule decree in effect was the declaring of martial law, because there were no constitutional provisions allowing for such an order. “This is the imposition of real military rule, because there is no Constitution and Pakistan is being run under provisional constitutional order issued by Musharraf as the army chief, not as the president of Pakistan,” said Hasan Askari Rizvi, an expert on Pakistani military affairs.
General Musharraf resorted to military power to gain the presidency in October 1999 when he staged a bloodless coup, and Mr. Rizvi said this was a return to those measures. “This is the first time Musharraf has brought in military rule to sustain himself in power,” he said. “He felt threatened by the Supreme Court.”
Mr. Chaudhry has been the focal point of the opposition to General Musharraf since the president fired him from the post last Boosted by support from lawyers, judges and a wide public following, Mr. Chaudhry led a street-style political campaign against his summary firing that helped fuel the growing popular sentiment against General Musharraf.
The Supreme Court reinstated Mr. Chaudhry this summer, and in September the Supreme Court ruled in favor of General Musharraf, saying he could run for re-election while still in uniform.
But the focus was again on Mr. Chaudhry this week as the deadline drew closer for a decision on the legality of General Musharraf’s re-election on Oct. 6 by the national Parliament and four provincial assemblies.
Rumors were rife in Islamabad, the capital, all week that the court might decide against the president or give a muddied verdict that would leave his position as president unclear.
This evening, several lawyers and journalists said they believed that the opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, left Pakistan on Thursday for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates after realizing that General Musharraf was planning some form of martial law.
Aides to Ms. Bhutto said she planned to fly back to Pakistan on Wednesday evening, immediately after hearing the emergency declaration was made. Members of her political party condemned the emergency order.
Ms. Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan in mid-October under an arrangement brokered by the United States and Britain, warned the government on Wednesday that she was opposed to emergency rule. “If emergency is imposed, people will come out and resist it," she said.
She returned to Pakistan on Oct. 18 for the first time in eight years on the understanding that she would take part in elections expected early next year. The Bush administration hoped that Ms. Bhutto would bring a democratic face to Pakistan even as it continued under the rule of General Musharraf, who has pledged to give up his military post after being sworn in for another presidential term on Nov. 15.
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