President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday. It has now been announced at PTV. The emergency decision comes ahead of a crucial Supreme Court decision on whether to overturn his recent election win.
The news caster at PTV didn’t give any reasons for emergency but read the following text:
The chief of army staff has proclaimed a state of emergency and issued a provisional constitutional order.
Earlier, Pakistan’s private TV channels had suddenly gone off-air amid speculations that emergency was going to be imposed.
An earlier Reuters report which was among the first to break the news read:
Private television channels Geo News and Dawn News both ran reports quoting unnamed sources as saying the government had made its decision. Speculation has been rife that Musharraf, who is awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election last month while still army chief, might impose emergency rule or martial law
This has not been the first time that government thought about imposing emergency. The idea has been flirted with from time to time. Rumors kept appearing from time to time from as early as August 8, 2007. We also had a post on this topic then.
According to CNN:
The Supreme Court has declared the state of emergency illegal, claiming Musharraf had no power to suspend the constitution, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry told CNN.
People were already sensing something was about to happen when Benazir suddenly left the country two days ago without even going to other provinces of the country except Sindh. It may be true that she indeed left Pakistan to be with her ailing mother but it never stops people from speculating. Also the earlier news where Government circles were advising Benazir not to come to Pakistan before Supreme Court decision now seem to put missing links to a continuum.
According to Washington Post news:
The United States had tried to pressure Musharraf on Friday to avoid declaring emergency rule or martial law. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday sent a warning to Musharraf not to take authoritarian measures to hold on to power. “I think it would be quite obvious that the United States would not be supportive of extra-constitutional means,” Rice said. “Pakistan needs to prepare for and hold free and fair elections.” That message was followed by a previously scheduled meeting between Musharraf and Adm. William J. Fallon, chief of the U.S. Central Command.
Complete text of emergency declaration can be read here
PS: How would it look if Islamic Republic of Pakistan had an adulterer as PM with an illegitimate child?
You can not be serious.
Its not personal if he wants to be a leader. Goes towards his moral and religious credibility. I wouldn’t trust an adulterer in matters of Islam and morality – simple common sense - you feel free to do if you want.
Well it’s is personal life.Why do you have to interfere in his personal life.We are here to discuss everyones professional life and not personal.I hope you know that.
Deewana Aik, Again a personal attack on Imran offends me; a personal attack on me, yes, go ahead and take your shots.
As for your high moral ground, this is what has landed us where we are. Self righteous, judgmental, and defiant. That has lead to the crisis that we are facing today. I could be talking of Mush, or so many others.
Why do you think everyone is immoral like your Imran..?
If you are in Pakistan, are you doing anything about this situation? This is a question to the blogger and anyone else reading this. Is anyone interested in resolving this peacefully, but making sure justice occurs? Go here to this blog and answer. http://ethica.wordpress.com/
“Will you allow me to comment on your personal life”
Please do. I did not have adulterous relations neither do I have an illegitimate child like Imran. Feel free to discuss however.
“Deewana Aik, Good riddance to you. ”
Same to you AUK. You and other supposed supporters should first get Imran to give his illegitimate daughter her right of his fatherhood. He remained a bhagora from supremacy of law as long as his lover, mother of that child, was alive. Spare us your alligator tears.