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
Ayesha,
It would be helpful if you also give the street address where people are to assemble. Also, they need to bring placards with appropriate messages on them.
thanks raza
Omar R Quraishi:
that was an excellent editorial – sums up what the citizens feel about the recent [unfortunate] events.
The Situation in Pakistan is very upsetting and a group of us have decieded to organize a protest outside the Pakistani Embassy in New York City at 2 pm tomorrow (5th of November). This is very short notice and we are trying to get as many people to come. I have created a facebook event to help organize people, the link for it is as follows:
http://columbia.facebook.com/event.php?eid=1960218 1032
I urge those of you in New York city to join us, also please spread the word around.
Thank you.
Ayesha
Shabbir
Try to ponder and open ur mind… may be by studying materials your vision will get broad and then u will come to know what courts are and how they protect citizens and their fundamental rights..
I am sure by your observation and study, you would be able to think and find some intersting conclusion.