Musharraf Declares Martial Law in Pakistan (UPDATE)
UPDATE: Musharraf Speaks on TV
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said he declared a state of emergency and martial law Saturday because Pakistan is at a “critical and dangerous juncture.”
The nation is going through “some very rapid changes,” Musharraf said in a televised address to the nation after declaring martial law.
Despite immediate condemnation from within and outside his nation, he insisted that his actions are for the good of the country and the move is to stabilize unrest.
BBC: Musharraf imposes emergency rule
Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf declares emergency rule, as police surround the Supreme Court.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule Saturday, suspending the constitution amid a heavy security presence including armored personnel carriers on the streets of the capital.
Musharraf, who instituted a provisional constitution, was expected to address the nation later and cite continuing fighting in the turbulent Swat Valley as his reason.
Opposition parties quickly gathered to denounce the move, which also blocked transmission of private television broadcasts nationwide.
The chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was removed from his job and placed under house arrest. Musharraf had suspended the judge earlier this year, but he was later reinstated.
“This is a very fateful day for the country. Pakistan is in deep, deep crisis,” said Aitzaz Ahsan, Chaudhry’s attorney. “It is one man against the nation.” Ahsan said that he expected to be arrested later Saturday night.
