State of Emergency

Pakistan’s Musharef declares state of emergency, suspends constitution:

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — 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.

I wonder how all that “Freedom on the March” talk from W will apply to Pakistan?

Or maybe the wheels will start turning in W’s head. . .

“If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I’m the dictator.” — George W. Bush