[ChotooMotoo]

Pakistan's Musharraf declares emergency

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press Writer


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Saturday, ahead of a crucial Supreme Court ruling on his future as president, thrusting the country deeper into political turmoil as it struggles with spreading Islamic militancy.

Seven Supreme Court judges immediately rejected the emergency, which suspended the current constitution. The government blocked transmissions of private news channels in several cities and telephone services in the capital, Islamabad, were cut.

"The chief of army staff has proclaimed a state of emergency and issued a provisional constitutional order," a newscaster on state Pakistan TV said, adding that Musharraf would address the nation later Saturday.

It gave no reason for the emergency but it follows weeks of speculation that the military leader, who took power in 1999 coup and later made Pakistan a U.S. ally in its war on terror, could take that step. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a longtime rival of Musharraf who has been negotiating with the president about forming a pro-Western political alliance, was returning to Pakistan from Dubai where she was visiting family, an advisor said.

Military vehicles patrolled and troops blocked roads in the administrative heart of the capital. Police barred the doors to the Supreme Court decision, with the judges believed inside.

The U.S. and other Western allies urged Musharraf this week not to declare martial law or an emergency that would jeopardize the country's transition to democracy. Crucial parliamentary elections meant to restore civilian rule are due by January.

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 that the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Aitzaz Ahsan, had been arrested. He was a lawyer for Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, whom Musharraf tried and failed to oust this spring, sparking a popular movement against military rule.

Geo also reported that the chief justice had been told that "his services were no longer required."

As phones were not working, it was not possible to contact government spokesmen for confirmation.

During previous emergencies in Pakistan, a provisional constitutional order has led to the suspension of some basic rights of citizens and for judges to take a fresh oath of office.

"This is the most condemnable act," said Ahsan Iqbal, a spokesman for the opposition PML-N party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said of the emergency. Musharraf barred Sharif from returning to Pakistan from exile in September to mount a campaign against military rule.

"The whole nation will resist this extra-constitutional measure," he said.

Rehman Chishti, an advisor to Bhutto, said she was "absolutely shocked" by the state of emergency and would leave Dubai — where she was visiting family after surviving an assassination attempt Oct. 18 — and would immediately return to Pakistan.

"Benazir Bhutto is on her way and she will be in Pakistan to be with the people of Pakistan and to challenge Gen. Musharraf," Chishti told British Broadcastimng Corp. television.

The seven Supreme Court judges rejected the declaration of emergency and ordered top officials, including the prime minister, and military officers not to comply with it.

"We feel that government has not ground/reason to take extra constitutional steps, particularly for the reasons being published in the newspapers that a high profile case is pending and is not likely to be decided in favor of the government," the judges wrote in a two-page ruling.

Elements in the country's ruling party have been pushing for emergency rule in case the Supreme Court disqualifies Musharraf's Oct. 6 presidential victory because he contested the vote while still army chief, diplomats say. A verdict is due before his current term expires Nov. 15.

About 200 people, including lawyers and journalists were gathered outside the white marble Supreme Court building. They were outnumbered by police who had closed the steel gates of the court premises, barring anyone entry. The judges, including Chief Justice Chaudhry, were believed to be inside.

At least seven trucks brought armed police and paramilitary ranger troops to Constitution Avenue that passes in front of the court, Parliament and the official residences of the president and prime minister.

The government blocked transmissions of private news channels in the capital and other cities.

Shahzad Iqbal, an official at a cable TV news provider in Islamabad said authorities were blocking transmissions of private news channels in Islamabad and neighboring Rawalpindi. State TV was still on the air.

"The government has done it," he said.

Residents of Karachi said their cable TV was also off the air.

Judges in the southern Sindh province were called to take a fresh oath, Geo reported.

The drama in Islamabad came as pro-Taliban militants demonstrated their growing control in the volatile northwest, hoisting jihadist flags over a police station in Swat district, where officials say fighting with security forces has killed about 180 people since last week.

Pakistan has also been rocked by a string of suicide bombings blamed on Islamic militants, the deadliest targeting opposition leader Bhutto's homecoming parade following eight years in exile. More than 140 people died in the Oct. 18 blast.

Pakistan's Musharraf declares emergency - Yahoo! News

[TrentReznor858]

Did anyone see this coming? I didn't. I hope that order can be restored soon.

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by TrentReznor858

Did anyone see this coming? I didn't. I hope that order can be restored soon.

Of course we didn't see this comming. He's been saying for weeks that he would do no such thing.

[Sabz]

Pakistani politics is corrupt anyways, Allah hu alim.

[ShahRukh]

Its not state of emergency...it's Martial Law....which means that any random person or opposition member could be arrested randomly according to the wishes of the Army with no access to a lawyer.

All private channels such as ARY, GEO, AAJTV, etc., are off air in Pakistan except for PTV which is obviously the military regimes main source of spreading propaganda.

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

Of course we didn't see this comming. He's been saying for weeks that he would do no such thing.

Hahaha.....He's the weakest Army Chief I have ever heard or read about in my life....Cant even stick to his own words for a month. Which shows how much he's influenced by external elements that force him to change decisions. Could you understand how much demoralized the military would be for having a Chief with no morals that lies so frequently to deceive his own public? No wonder they're losing battles at all fronts...even to the Taleban militia thats barely fighting with any arms.

[revivalist786]

The drama in Islamabad came as pro-Taliban militants demonstrated their growing control in the volatile northwest, hoisting jihadist flags over a police station in Swat district, where officials say fighting with security forces has killed about 180 people since last week.

Pakistan has also been rocked by a string of suicide bombings blamed on Islamic militants, the deadliest targeting opposition leader Bhutto's homecoming parade following eight years in exile. More than 140 people died in the Oct. 18 blast.

[IbnMardhiyah]

Originally Posted by ChotooMotoo

Of course we didn't see this comming. He's been saying for weeks that he would do no such thing.

My dad saw it coming - four days ago.

He said there was no way Musharraf wasn't going to declare martial law. And given the fact that more than half of Pakistan's existence has been under military rule, this was definitely predictable.

Originally Posted by ShahRukh

IAll private channels such as ARY, GEO, AAJTV, etc., are off air in Pakistan except for PTV which is obviously the military regimes main source of spreading propaganda.

Not just that.

They've blocked all cell-phone traffic and the Internet as well.

[TrentReznor858]

Originally Posted by revivalist786

The drama in Islamabad came as pro-Taliban militants demonstrated their growing control in the volatile northwest, hoisting jihadist flags over a police station in Swat district, where officials say fighting with security forces has killed about 180 people since last week.

Pakistan has also been rocked by a string of suicide bombings blamed on Islamic militants, the deadliest targeting opposition leader Bhutto's homecoming parade following eight years in exile. More than 140 people died in the Oct. 18 blast.

What is that supposed to mean?

[GOTFIVEONIT]

November 03, 2007 Saturday Shawwal 21, 1428

Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)







ISLAMABAD, Nov 3: President General Pervez Musharraf, in his capacity as the chief of army staff, on Saturday declared emergency rule in the country, suspended the country’s constitution, and issued a new Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).Text of emergency proclamation

The official announcement on the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) came within minutes of a high-level meeting at the President House (Aiwan-i-Sadr) which was chaired by the President and attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, senior security and intelligence officials.

Shortly before the official announcement all the private and independent news channels in the country were pulled off the cable network, leading to intense speculations of a possible emergency rule or martial law.

This is the second time in General Musharraf’s tenure that an emergency rule has been imposed, and PCO issued. First it was at the time when the military seized power on October 12, 1999. This time it was when President Musharraf had already ruled the country for eight long years, and was faced with a situation where there was a strong possibility that the Supreme Court may rule against his move to get himself elected for the second time as the head of the state.

According to some details of the new PCO made available to the media, the National Assembly, Senate, provincial assemblies, the prime minister, provincial chief ministers, federal and provincial ministers, governors and all those in the “government services” will continue to function normally.

However, it was not clear how this will be possible, or be legitimate, with President Musharraf resorting to the extra-constitutional action of suspending the constitution and issuing his own provisional constitutional order or PCO.

Soon after the proclamation of emergency by Gen Musharraf, an eight-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, reportedly set aside the decision. Setting aside General Musharraf’s proclamation of emergency, the panel asked all members of the superior judiciary against taking oath under the new PCO.

The Supreme Court, in its order, termed Gen Musharraf’s action “illegal and unconstitutional” and asked the corps commanders and all civil and military officials not to take oath under the PCO. Till filing of this report, the judges of the SC were still inside the court building.

However, under the circumstances chances of a major rebellion on part of the superior judiciary appeared highly unlikely. In any case, legal experts said, the government must have contemplated such a resistance, and as has been the past practice during military rule, some of the judges will not be invited to take oath, some will refuse, and a few will accept the new order to provide legitimacy to the this kind of emergency rule. In a latest development Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar was sworn in as a Chief Justice of Pakistan by the President.

There were also reports that some of the lawyers, including the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, have been taken into custody. Mr. Ahsan’s wife told reporters that her husband was arrested soon after the imposition of emergency.

Although news of a possible emergency rule had been doing rounds for the past several days, on Saturday it became quite evident when a large contingent of paramilitary troops started to arrive in Islamabad, and cable operators were asked to pull the plug on all independent news channels, including DawnNews, Geo, ARY and Aaj TV.

Land telephone lines and mobile phones are also partially down in Islamabad and communication has become almost impossible in many parts of the capital. TV channels and newspapers had been reporting for the past few days that the government had made up its mind to declare emergency rule. (First Posted @ 20:24 PST Updated @ 21:06 PST)

[GOTFIVEONIT]

Musharraf addresses nation

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP/Reuters): Chief of Army Staff, General Pervez Musharraf addressed the nation (Saturday) about 1845GMT. President General Pervez Musharraf said in his address that Pakistan was at a dangerous juncture. Extremists, he said had challenged the writ of the government. The country’s unity is in danger without emergency rule, he added. He was still speaking when this dispatch was filed. More details to follow…(First Posted @ 22:10 PST Updated @ 00:24 PST)

State of emergency declared

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3, (AFP/AP) - President Gen Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday ahead of a crucial Supreme Court decision on whether to overturn his recent election win and amid rising militant violence. ''The chief of army staff has proclaimed a state of emergency and issued a provisional constitutional order,'' a newscaster on the state-run TV channel said. Dozens of police blocked the road in front of the Supreme Court building in Islamabad where judges were believed to be inside. The state TV report gave no reason for the emergency but it follows weeks of speculation that he could take the step. During previous emergencies in Pakistan, a provisional constitutional order has led to the suspension of some basic rights of citizens and for judges to take a fresh oath of office. ''This is the most condemnable act,'' said Ahsan Iqbal, a spokesman for the opposition PML-N party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who Musharraf barred from returning to exile to Pakistan in September to mount a campaign against military rule.''The whole nation will resist this extra-constitutional measure,'' he said. The government blocked transmissions of private news channels in the capital and other cities. Shahzad Iqbal, an official at a cable TV news provider in Islamabad said authorities were blocking transmissions of private news channels in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. State TV was still on the air. ''The government has done it,'' he said. Residents of Karachi said their cable TV was also off the air.Paramilitary troops and police surrounded the Supreme Court in Islamabad, an AFP reporter said. Two trucks full of armed paramilitary soldiers from the Rangers force, who are under the control of the Interior Ministry, and several dozen policemen cordoned off the building. (First Posted @ 18:26 PST Updated @ 18:54 PST)

Supreme court orders emergency suspended, govt rejects ruling

ISLAMABAD, Nov (Reuters): The Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the provisional constitutional order issued by the president, and Chaudhry has been told his “services are no longer required”, private news channels said. The Supreme Court on Saturday ordered the suspension of emergency rule imposed by President Pervez Musharraf, a private television channel said, but the government rejected the move. “The emergency rule has been set aside by a seven-member bench declaring it illegal and all judges of the supreme court and high court barred from taking an oath under the new provisional constitutional order,” private Geo television reported. A government spokesman told AFP that the Supreme Court order would not come into effect because the emergency proclamation has a clause stating that it cannot be challenged in any court of law. “All judges of the superior courts are now governed by the new order and they will be required to take a fresh oath under new measures,” the official said. Chaudhry and his fellow judges, according to a Reuters journalist, were still inside the court building on Constitution Avenue, the broad thoroughfare where the presidency and the National Assembly are also located. The road has been sealed off by troops. (Posted @ 19:36 PST)

Govt appoints new chief justice

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3, 2007 (AFP): President Pervez Musharraf appointed Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar as the new chief justice of Pakistan on Saturday after the imposition of a state of emergency, a government spokesman said. The government replaced Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, a thorn in the government's side since Musharraf's botched bid to sack him earlier this year, with Hameed Dogar. (Posted @ 21:22 PST)

High court CJs take oath under

PCO KARACHI Nov 3 (PPI): The new chief justices of the provincial high courts took oath under the Provincial Constitutional Order (PCO). In Lahore, Mr. Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry on Saturday night took oath as new Chief Justice of Lahore High Court under the PCO. In Karachi Justice Muhammad Afzal Soomro took oath as Chief Justice of the High Court of Sindh (SHC) under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) at a ceremony at the Governor House here on Saturday night. Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan, administered the oath of the Chief Justice SHC to Justice Mohammad Afzal Soomro. Later, Chief Justice Afzal Soomro administered oath to three judges of Sindh High Court under the PCO. They were Justice Munib Ahmed Khan, Justice Mrs. Yasmin Abbasi and Justice Mrs. Qaiser Iqbal. In Peshawar, Mr Justice Talat Qayyum Qureshi was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court. In Quetta Justice Amanullah Yasinzai took oath under Provisional Constitutional Order as Chief Justice Balochistan High Court at a ceremony at Governor House here Saturday night. Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani administered oath to him. Later Justice Amanullah Yasinzai administered oath to four judges of Balochistan High Court. They included Justice Akhtar Zaman Malghani, Justice Ahmad Khan Lashari, Justice Muhammad Nadir Khan and Justice Metha Kelash Nath Kohli. (First Posted @ 22:14 PST Updated @ 00:12 PST)

[GOTFIVEONIT]

Benazir Bhutto returns to Karachi

KARACHI, Nov 3 (AP): Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan late Saturday following a decision by the government to impose a state of emergency. A plane carrying the former prime minister landed in Karachi from Dubai, and she disembarked before leaving in a white car under police escort. Supporters of her Pakistan People's Party who had gathered at the airport shouted slogans of support. “We have deployed more than 100 police guards at the airport to provide security to Ms Benazir Bhutto and to escort her safely to the Bilawal House,” a police officer said. (First Posted @ 19:18 PST Updated @ 23:50 PST)

Musharraf action 'very disappointing' -- White House

WASHINGTON, Nov 3 (AFP): The White House Saturday called Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of a state of emergency “very disappointing” and said he needs to keep a pledge to hold elections by January. “This action is very 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 the statement from White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe. Rice says move highly regrettable: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told CNN television on Saturday Pakistan's declaration of emergency rule was “highly regretable” and she hoped its intention was to have free and fair elections. (First Posted @ 21:30 PST Updated @ 23:40 PST)

Nawaz Sharif says Pakistan heading for anarchy

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Reuters): Exiled former President Nawaz Sharif said on Saturday Pakistan was heading towards anarchy and described President Pervez Musharraf's decision to invoke emergency powers as a form of martial law. “We are heading towards a chaotic situation, heading towards anarchy,” Sharif told Indian news channel CNN-IBN in an interview replayed by Dawn Television in Pakistan. (Posted @ 20:18 PST)

Cabinet, assemblies to continue working

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Reuters): Pakistan's cabinet will continue working, and the national and provincial assemblies will also contine to function following the imposition of emergency rule on Saturday, state-run Pakistan Television said. “The Federal Cabinet, governors and their (provincial) ministers will continue their work,” the channel reported. “The National Assembly, Senate, the provincial assemblies of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan will continue functioning”. (Posted @ 19:42 PST)

No decision taken to impose Martial Law: Tariq

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP): Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem on Saturday said that no decision had been taken to impose martial law in the country. Talking to a private TV news channel, he said that martial law was an unconstitutional step while declaring an emergency was the constitutional right of the government under Article 232 of the Constitution. He said the situation in Swat, Rawalpindi and Sargodha stimulated the government to fulfil its responsibility to maintain law and order at every cost. He added that the government could enforce emergency to improve the situation. Mr Azeem said the NRO was an internal matter of the country and other countries should not interfere in its internal affairs. (Posted @ 19:16 PST)

Aitzaz Ahsan detained in emergency

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (Reuters): A leading Pakistani lawyer and opposition figure, Aitzaz Ahsan, said he had been detained after President Pervez Musharraf invoked emergency powers on Saturday. “They have served me a detention order for 30 days,” Ahsan, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, told reporters outside his home in the capital. “One man has taken entire nation hostage... Time has come for General Musharraf to go.” Fellow lawyers shouted “Go Musharraf Go” as Ahsan was taken away by police, waving a victory sign to his supporters. (Posted @ 19:50 PST)

Shots heard in Karachi

KARACHI, Nov 3 (Reuters): Shots were heard in several neighbourhoods of Karachi, after President Pervez Musharraf invoked emergency powers on Saturday. The most intense firing was heard in Lyari, the neighbourhood, where support for Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party is high, witnesses said. (Posted @ 21:44 PST)

Musharraf has committed treason: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (AFP): Opposition politician and former cricketer Imran Khan said Saturday that President Pervez Musharraf has committed treason and should face the penalty for declaring a state of emergency. He called on the people to resist Musharraf's move and not to recognise the new chief justice appointed by him. “He has committed high treason by negating the orders of the Supreme Court which bars him from taking any unconstitutional steps and by sending in troops after the Supreme Court decision,” Khan told AFP. (Posted @ 22:34 PST)

India calls for normalcy in Pakistan

NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (AP): Indian leaders reacted with concern Saturday after President General Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, calling for a speedy return to “normalcy” and “democracy”. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee to assess the situation, the foreign ministry said. “We regret the difficult times that Pakistan is passing through,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna. (Posted @ 21:46 PST)

Pakistan to continue India tour: cricket team official

NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (Reuters): Pakistan will continue their cricket tour of neighbouring India even though emergency rule has been imposed back home, a team official said on Saturday. “We are just focusing on cricket,” the team's media manager Ehsan Malik said. “We've had no intimation (from the Pakistan board). Everything is status quo.” Pakistan will leave New Delhi on Sunday for Guwahati for the first one-dayer to be played the next day. (Posted @ 21:24 PST)


Foreign Office rejects apprehension of Sultan Mahmood on Kashmir

Islamabad, Nov 3 (PPI): Pakistan Foreign Office has rejected apprehensions of former AJK Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry that Pakistan and India have come close to some kind of agreement to divide Kashmir by converting Line of Control LoC into international border. Commenting on a Press statement of Barrister Sultan Mehmood Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said: “This is far removed of status of discussion on Kashmir, including discussion that has taken place in last two years. Unfortunately Barrister Sultan Mahmood, has not presented correct picture.” (Posted @ 10:30 PST)

[IbnMardhiyah]

Already been posted - please search

[GOTFIVEONIT]

i been looking at all the pak channels online, and it seems the the govt and shut down all the cable news chan