Musharraf declares emergency in Pakistan
Posted on November 3, 2007
A lot of folks are calling this news a coup!
“ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – 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.â€
The war on terror is a complicated web. You get things simmering on one side of the stove and something starts boiling over on the other side. It will be interesting to see the White House reaction. Between Iraq, escalations in Iran, and developments like this, it is difficult to say the best course of action. Of course, we still have adequate time to keep Iran on the sanction leash, and the news from Iraq has been progressively better. Hopefully, this can be tamed down, though I’m not sure. There are plenty of reasons to be of concern on this.
Reactions:
Musharraf must have sniffed out a not too favorable decision and pulled the trigger. This is not good from several standpoints. First there is the critical need we have a for a strong ally in Turkey, but that relationship Musharraf has always been tenuous with him walking the line between pleasing us and keeping the more radical elements happy at home. Remember that in 2006 he wrote in his book that we had “twisted his arm†into cooperation with us.
A declaration of emergency means the upcoming parliamentary elections will not take place as scheduled in January. That will almost certainly split Bhutto from Musharraf, and it will mean that Musharraf will have to rely on his power base with the Army. That may not hold firm in a protracted fight against Islamist rebels, as the military’s morale has already been questioned. It’s a dangerous situation, and the declaration makes it even more so.
I thought between that, the return of Benazir Bhutto from exile, and the disaffection within the Pakistani army at the campaign against the Taliban that Musharraf would have to keep his nose clean from now on. Instead he’s doubled down. And since he’s relying entirely now on the military for his authority, he’ll have to address that disaffection by scaling back the campaign in the tribal areas. Which means we might as well finally turn off the tap of that military funding that’s brought us jack squat for the past 4-5 years.
Via Weasel Zippers: Taliban rule?
Islamabad – Pakistan is considering enforcement of Islamic laws in Pakistan’s north-western Swat valley to meet the demands of pro-Taliban militants who briefly seized and then released around 100 security personnel after nine days’ fierce fighting that left more than 200 people dead. “The government is considering the implementation of Sharia law in the view of the demands of the local people,” said Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, governor of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in which the valley is situated.
“We are trying to resolve the issue through negotiations but if required force will also be used,” the DawnNews channel cited him as saying.
The statement came as the Islamic militants said they had released 120 soldiers captured after the clashes in Swat, some 160 kilometres from the NWFP capital Peshawar.
“They have gone to their home towns and they have promised not to work with the security forces in the future,” the militants’ spokesman Maulana Sirajuddin told reporters.
The Astute Blogger: WW4?
The US asked Musharraf not to hold on to power by all means necessary. Instead general seems to have decided to ignore the wishes of the US, the international community and the Pakistani people and to do just that. It will embolden terrorists, it will weaken Musharraf, it will… create chaos in a country that has nuclear weapons. This is a potentially very dangerous situation.
Watch out! Heh! Liberal blogger Chuck Keller worries that Bush may copy Musharraf’s actions.
Take care, America. Be careful, Americans. Watch what Musharraf does. You may be looking into the mirror at your future.
Heh, get a grip man!
Others: LGF
PJM Roundup
» Filed Under News, War On Terror
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12 Responses to “Musharraf declares emergency in Pakistan”
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Syndicate Me
As far as Chuck Keller and the left goes, I think it is way past time for them to get a grip. They have pretty much let go and are approaching the ground level.
Plz let me know
Why Nation faces often such events continuously after conspiracy killing of Quad Milit?????????????
Was it the dream of Quad azam about Pakistan?????
Who are responsible for creating such situation????
Nation…….Political leaders …..or generals……
My logic is Nation
Which often did well come martial law
or emergency
Which indicates that there is neither
any proper guideline for Nation nor
Nation is too much aware about their rights.
So yet majority having hopes, expectations
with already practiced politicians & religious
coated political leaders.
Pakistan facing such problems because of
being part of war for USA, So USA should
be with solution not part of problem.
And from last 11 years majority failed to
understand agenda of sincere political parties
& dedicated personalities.
So should we treat it as Divine alarm or
blessing for future to Nation?????????????????????
Watch what happens. Bush will mirror this action in the US. Yes, he will issue a power grab in order to halt the Taliban from entering in from Canada
I hope you are seriously entertaining that idea Sam.
I think Musharraf has really lost it. Desperate actions by a despot. Americans need to ditch him and find a new democratic ally in Pakistan. Enough conspiracy games. Lets be the good guys for once.
Will someone be kind enough to explain why Musharraf wants to
remain president of Pakistan if the law & constitution does not
allow him and people of pakistan do not like him?? After all
Pakistan is not his father’s heritage.
West for once in life has to send harsh and clear message to President (thug) Musharraf by completely boycotting him and posing stringent restrictions on him.
If West prefer its very short term interest in (loosing) War on Terror and deals with dictatorship then West would exactly confirm already much brewing antipathy and hatred in Pakistan in particular and in Muslim World in general towards West – which supports cruel dictators in the Muslim world for its purposes.
THIS IS CHANCE FOR WEST TO CUT OFF ALL TIES AND BUILD GENIUNE RELATIONSHIP WITH PAKISTANI PEOPLE. TRUST PAKISTANI NATION. THEY WILL BE YOUR FRIENDS. YOU WILL GET GENIUNE FRIENDS LIKE IN INDIA.
IF WEST THINKS MUSH WOULD WIN WAR OF TERROR. HE WOULD ACTUALLY TURN 160MILLION NATION OF PAKISTAN AGAINST WEST (OH YEAH MINUS PROBABLY 20000 PRO MUSH PEOPLE)
CHOICE IS OF YOURS. SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN FOR ONCE IN LIFE TIME FOR HAVENS SAKE.
IT IS NOT ISLAM AGAINST WEST. IT IS DEPRIVIATION OF MUSLIM COUNTRIES BY THEIR UGLY DICTATOR LEADERS. PAKISTANI AND MUSLIMS AROUND THE WORLD FEEL WEST BACKS THESE UGLY DICTATORS.
HERE IS CHANCE FOR WEST!!!
We got rid of Saddam, that’s one dictator in the Middle East that we took out, but – not without a lot of whining and crying from the American Left.
Musharraf is not that different from Karzai. Both of them play patty-cake with America while covering for the terrorists.
Musharraf’s actions are not defensible; even though they cleverly cloak it with political correctness for outside Western public consumption.
Hey, Muhammad Ali, here’s YOUR CHANCE for the MUSLIMS in Pakistan to stand up for what is right, and turn in ALL the Islamofascists who stand in YOUR MIDST. You say you denounce all terrorism carried out in ISLAM’s name?
PROVE IT! TURN THEM ALL IN! If you don’t have the GUTS to do it…then you’re just as guilty as the Islamofascists themselves!!
Musharaf has destroyed every institution just to retain himself in power. either it is media, juduciary or army..but he is not the only responsible for this the US and westren world is equally responsible for his barbarian acts…………as they support his every step. we the common pakistani hate US and westren world as ththey r really culprit ……….and they supported a dictator for their own interset. please dont teach us lesson of democracy as we have seen ur real face.
we can do nothing against Musharaf as US and west his supporting him. I appeal to civilized world …..please help us .and put pressure on ur government not to support a dictator.
BEWARE ANOTHER IRAN IS IN MAKING………IF WEST DID NOT CHANGE HIS POLICIES TO SUPPORT MUSHARAF.
Whether war of USA against civilians or militants is right or wrong but sacrifices of Pakistan are much more than any other country even itself more than USA in this war.
Pakistan already in Afganistan against Russian forces being frontline suffered much also this Afgan strategy is main reason behind the present disturbance in some areas of Pakistan.
But sorry to mention after success of Mujahdeen in Afganistan USA failed to continue support to Pakistan & also failed to manage those Mujahdeen forces, who were fighting for USA under indirect control of USA for USA.
If truth be told USA utilized its influence to settle the problem of East Taymoor within short period. But in occupied soils oppressed & victim of atrocities of majority of Kashmires,Plastines,Kurds,Tamils,Qabras,Daffars …….are waiting for international justice.
No doubt there was minor hidden support of USA for Pakistan during 65, 71 & Kargil war. Though as per alley of USA support for Pakistan was supposed to be more & open.
Also credit to USA for initiating present peace process between two poor nuclear powers India & Pakistan. Now USA should utilize the practical efforts like East Tymor & compel both countries to be sincere for solving Kashmir problem, where majority do suffer. Kashmir problem is burden for both poor countries where 90 people have not even basic faculties.
President Mushraf is busy in taking practical & drastic actions against Muslim hardliners also show flexibility on Kashmir policy for the success of peace process. So now India should also react positively regarding Kashmir issue & to take practical & drastic actions against Hindu hardliners, who are open threat for secular image of India.
USA should continue support to both countries for solving this main issue & for eliminating poverty. As an human activist my logic is any international ban on aid will affect poor majority not the tycoon rulers.