I am watching television right now and every news channels is reporting that declaration of emergency in Pakistan is likely sometime tonight or tomorrow for sure. This is happening when rumors about PML(N) leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif’s possible return to Pakistan within next 2-3 days were already in the air. Three likely reasons are being suggested for emergency:
1. Threats from United States to attack so called terrorist targets and growing terrorist activities in Pakistan.
2. General law and order situation in NWFP and Balochistan.
3. Killing and kidnapping of Chinese in Pakistan
I can’t understand HOW declaring emergency is a solution to all these problems. Aitezaz Ahsen suggested that the people who want to get rid of President Musharraf are giving him such advices. There is no justification of declaring emergency except for his malafied intentions of remaining in power at every cost. He said that emergency declaration will really be the biggest blunder by President Musharraf and the end of his regime. Interesting observation.
This is what Geo website has:
A high-level meeting presided over by President General Pervez Musharraf decided Wednesday to declare emergency in the country for one month that could be extended for three months, the well placed sources told Geo News. The meeting reviewed current political situation and various options regarding changes in the political set up came under discussion.
Pakistan Muslim League (QA) president Chaudhry Shujaat also reportedly said while talking to women parliamentarians of party during a reception which was hosted by him at his residence that emergency is likely to be declared. Speaker National Assembly was also called at the reception in which he was consulted that in case of emergency how it could be approved from the National Assembly. Some reliable sources confirmed that the decision regarding declaration of emergency was taken in the meeting.
However, the government sources have denied the reports about the declaration of emergency in the country.
Personally, I don’t see any reason whatsoever for this move now. Declaration of emergency at this time will only be seen as a desperate attempt to prolong Musharraf sahab’s rule in Pakistan and to avoid elections. It will also be interesting to see how the Supreme Court of Pakistan react to this because, if true, this will surely be challenged.
The situation is quite uncertain and unclear so we will have to wait and see what happens in next 24-48 hours. I hope this turns out to be just a rumor. We already have too many problems and this will only make things worse. We do NOT want another crises when we are preparing to celebrate years 60 years of independence. May Allah have mercy on Pakistan and give our leaders wisdom to make right decisions. Ameen.
These are the rights you’ll lose out on:
http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=9491
I wonder if the Supreme Court can strike out the declaration of emergency… it appears that the emergency will be declared primarily to clamp down on the judiciary’s indepenence… so can the Supreme Court act in any way and declare the emergency illegal or unlawful?
Demonstrations/Processions will be outlawed during the emergency, so if the lawyers and the opposition do take out rallies, will the faujis actually fire on crowds?
Fundamental rights for 160 million Pakistanis stand suspended. What that means is that ‘if’ you live in Pakistan, you can be taken from your home, accused of anti-state activities, killed and buried by the Gov. of Pakistan under the watchful eye of ‘the’ despot without anyone being able to raise a finger.
And in case courts strike down the orders for emergency a martial law can be applied in the country, striking down the constitution itself. And considering the fact that we’re dealing with a despot here, I see that as a definite possibility.
Big deal, what really changes?
Pakwatan,
Please resist this vile act to further suppress our rights as self respecting citizens of this state by this vile dictator. We must stand together and fight it tooth and nail, that time has come to shed our blood if need be (said with a heavy heart), we must reclaim Pakistan for Pakistanis and not for our military whores.
So the minute it is announced all of Pakistan must come out on the streets, we must all remove this vile regime through civil disobediance and peaceful action, we must finish it off now or never, the rubicon must be crossed. The trumpet will soon call, are you ready Pakistan?
I am
Feimanallah & Pakistan Zindabad
Wasim
http://www.otherpakistan.org
Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.
‘Jab geedar ki maut aati hai toh woh shahar ki taraf bhaagta hai’