http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071103/ap_on_re_as/pakistan

Musharraf declares emergency in Pakistan

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press Writer 8 minutes ago

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - 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.

Gettin crazy all over the place now. After these actions by Musharraf, he was probably the one behind the Bhutto bombing.

- N

Nope, the court is due to give its decision on whether he can wear two hats, he's prempting them by declaring emergency until he is can be sure of what they will say.

Nope, the court is due to give its decision on whether he can wear two hats,

What was with this part?

"Police blocked entry to the Supreme Court building and later took the deposed chief justice and other judges away in a convoy, witnesses said."

Did Musharraf arrest them or was it police not under his control that decided to protect them? The news doesn't have anything on this. I heard a brief mention about it on CNN, but that was it. Nothing else on the other channels so far.

- N

What was with this part?

"Police blocked entry to the Supreme Court building and later took the deposed chief justice and other judges away in a convoy, witnesses said."

Did Musharraf arrest them or was it police not under his control that decided to protect them? The news doesn't have anything on this. I heard a brief mention about it on CNN, but that was it. Nothing else on the other channels so far.

- N

Haven't read the details, but he is both the President and the General of the armed forces. Effectively makes him dictator. The courts trying to kick him off one post. He made a deal with Benazir that he would offer her the Prime Minister's post if she supported him as President for another five years. She is popular, he is not. But if the courts rule against him, he'll have to step down or admit he is a dictator. I'm assuming he is trying some gentle persuasion, hence the media lockdown.

Maybe the wrong judges were presiding over his case.

Musharraf is stuck between Bhutto, who is a liberal and represents the majority of Pakistanis who want to have a normal democracy, and between the minority extremists who will surely take over once one of the assassination attempts on his life (about 4-5 per year!) succeed, which is a very scary possibility since they will then control a nuclear arsenal and will likely share it with AQ.

so it is understandable why he had to do what he did.

He might want to have this war. Imagine if the 2008 presidential cycle came down to the question of, "How will you adjust the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to invade Pakistan, or are you intending to ask Congress to reinstitute the draft?"

If the conventional wisdom is that we need Pakistan, does the U.S. have the organizational capacity and diplomatic clout to muster a coalition to go fight for a dictator? Do we risk taking on Pakistan as a puppet state?

Musharraf, should he live through next year, might become the man of the year for having shaped the 2008 U.S. presidential election and altered the entire equation of the Iraqi Bush War and whatever it is we're supposed to be calling the GWoT these days.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071104/ap_on_re_as/pakistan

Activists detained in Pakistan emergency

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press Writer 26 minutes ago

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Police rounded up hundreds of opposition leaders and rights activists Sunday after Pakistan's military ruler suspended the constitution, ousted the top judge and deployed troops to fight what he called rising Islamic extremism.

In the lawless Afghan border region, militants freed 211 Pakistani soldiers captured two months ago, the army's top spokesman said.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a 1999 coup leader and U.S. ally who had promised to relinquish his army post and become a civilian president this year, declared a state of emergency Saturday night, dashing hopes of a smooth transition to democracy for the nuclear-armed nation.

Musharraf's leadership is threatened by the reemergence of political rival and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, an increasingly defiant Supreme Court set to rule on the validity of his recent presidential election win, and an Islamic militant movement that has spread from border regions to the capital.

South Waziristan, the tribal border region where the government is struggling to assert control, has seen a surge in violence, including the capture of the soldiers two months ago. The group was freed Sunday through the efforts of a jirga or a tribal council of elders in South Waziristan, said Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Police wielding assault rifles rounded up opposition leaders and rights activists Sunday after Pakistan's military ruler suspended the constitution, ousted the top justice and deployed troops to fight what he called rising Islamic extremism.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup but had promised to hand over his army fatigues and become a civilian president this year, declared a state of emergency Saturday night, dashing hopes of a smooth transition to democracy for the nuclear-armed nation.

"Gen. Musharraf's second coup," read the headline in the Dawn daily. "It is martial law," said the Daily Times.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the extraordinary measures would remain in place "as long as it is necessary." He also said parliamentary elections could be postponed up to a year, but no such decision had been made.

Aziz also said that up to 500 opposition activists had been arrested in the last 24 hours.

Among those detained were Javed Hashmi, the acting president of the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif; cricket star-turned politician, Imran Khan; Asma Jehangir, chairman of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; and Hamid Gul, former chief of the main intelligence agency and a staunch critic of Musharraf's support for the U.S.-led war on terror.

Some 200 armed police stormed the rights commission office in Lahore on Sunday and arrested about 50 activists, said Mehbood Ahmed Khan, a legal officer for the body.

"They dragged us out, including the women," he said from the police station in the eastern city. "It's inhuman, undemocratic and a violation of human rights to enter a room and arrest people gathering peacefully there."

Musharraf's leadership is threatened by an Islamic militant movement that has spread from border regions to the capital, the reemergence of political rival and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and an increasingly defiant Supreme Court, which was expected to rule soon on the validity of his recent presidential election win. Hearings scheduled for next week were postponed, with no new date set.

Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum denied claims by Bhutto and others that Musharraf had imposed martial law — direct rule by the army — under the guise of a state of emergency. He noted the prime minister was still in place and that parliament would complete its term, ending Nov. 15.

In Islamabad, phone service that was cut Saturday evening appeared to have been restored by Sunday morning. But transmissions by television news networks other than state-controlled Pakistan TV remained off the air.

Scores of paramilitary troops blocked access to the Supreme Court and parliament. Otherwise streets in the capital appeared calm, with only a handful of demonstrations. But one, attended by 40 people at the Marriott Hotel, was broken up by baton-wielding police.

"Shame on You! Go Musharraf Go!" the protesters shouted as officers dragged some out of the crowd and forced them to the ground. Eight were taken away in a van.

Western allies had urged Musharraf not to take authoritarian measures despite recent his country's recent turmoil.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for a return to democracy, as the American embassy urged citizens in Pakistan to remain at home and defer all nonessential travel. But Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said the emergency declaration "does not impact our military support" of the Muslim nation or its efforts in the war on terror.

In his televised address late Saturday, Musharraf, looking somber and composed, said Pakistan was at a "dangerous" juncture, and that its government was threatened by Islamic extremists who were "imposing their obsolete ideas on moderates."

The military ruler, wearing a black button-down tunic rather than his army uniform, also blamed the Supreme Court for tying the hands of the government by postponing the validation of his recent election. The court was expected to rule soon on opponents' claims that Musharraf's Oct. 6 victory was unconstitutional because he contested while army chief. He was elected by a Musharraf-led legislature.

Bhutto, who had traveled abroad following an Oct. 18 suicide bombing that narrowly missed her but killed 145 others, immediately returned to the southern city of Karachi declared Saturday the "blackest day" in Pakistan's history. "Judicial decisions have to be accepted even if they don't suit you," she said.

Musharraf replaced the chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, who had emerged as the main check on the president. Aitzaz Ahsan, a lawyer who represented the judge, also was arrested.

Musharraf vowed to go ahead with parliamentary elections, originally due by January, but gave no timeline.

Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azeem said Sunday he hoped the polls would go ahead soon: "But unfortunately everything has been put on the back burner. I can't give you the exact date."

Musharraf's emergency order suspended the 1973 constitution. Seven of the 17 Supreme Court judges immediately rejected the order, and only five agreed to take the oath of office under the new provisional constitution.

The emergency comes as Musharraf's security forces struggle to contain pro-Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants who have gained control of large tracts of the volatile northwest, near Afghanistan.

Violence has reached major cities with deadly suicide attacks in Islamabad and Karachi underscoring the failure of Musharraf's administration to combat the threat despite huge financial support from the United States.

Analysts, meanwhile, said the imposition of emergency rule may only postpone Musharraf's political demise.

"He's obviously not very popular, and it's not going to increase his popularity," said Rick Barton, a Pakistan expert at the Washington-based Center for International and Strategic Studies.

Musharraf issued two ordinances toughening media laws, including a ban on live broadcasts of "incidents of violence and conflict." Also, TV operators who "ridicule" the president, armed forces, and other powerful state bodies face up to three years in jail.

- N

Sam, how close to Pakistan do you live?

He might want to have this war. Imagine if the 2008 presidential cycle came down to the question of, "How will you adjust the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to invade Pakistan, or are you intending to ask Congress to reinstitute the draft?"
A truly reasoned person would know why a draft is as likely as a visit by Martians.

The rest of your opining is equally suspect.

(psst: If you were drafted, no volunteer soldier would trust you as far as you'd be able to walk through a mine field known only to the volunteers. They'd thank you for your limited service, nevertheless.)

Let's see now:A corrupt leader of a Muslim country But relatively pro-Western and prominently secular His regime was supported financially and militarily by the U.S. as long as we thought we were fighting the same enemies Now he is persecuting his own people He has suspended elections He possesses weapons of mass destruction And he's harboring anti-American terrorists in his country's remote regions.The last time this happened--the last time our bumbling leaders even thought this happened and they were wrong on the last two key points--we deposed the leader, had him executed, and occupied his country.

Is King George II going to be consistent here? Should Musharraf be kissing his tushie goodbye?

I doubt any of this is about fighting the militants, it's about keeping himself in power. It's Musharaf against the law (judges and lawyers).

Let's see now:A corrupt leader of a Muslim country But relatively pro-Western and prominently secular His regime was supported financially and militarily by the U.S. as long as we thought we were fighting the same enemies Now he is persecuting his own people He has suspended elections He possesses weapons of mass destruction And he's harboring anti-American terrorists in his country's remote regions.The last time this happened--the last time our bumbling leaders even thought this happened and they were wrong on the last two key points--we deposed the leader, had him executed, and occupied his country.

Is King George II going to be consistent here? Should Musharraf be kissing his tushie goodbye?

At least others don't find Barrack Obama's stance of invading Pakistan for Al Qaeda odd.

I've never feared Al Qaeda, made a big deal about Iran, Iraq, or wherever else. People say Iran is our biggest threat, psssh, I've always felt it was Pakistan, especially since they're one who gave Iran numerous nuclear parts and also have their rogue nuclear scientist. Why worry about Iran developing a nuke when they can simply get it from their extremist cousins over in Pakistan.

- N