Pakistan in state of emergency

Pakistani military ruler President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Saturday. The move comes amid mounting political upheaval and a wave of Islamist violence. Pakistan in state of emergency No official reason was given, but the declaration came as Musharraf, who seized power in a coup in 1999, awaited a Supreme Court decision that could have overturned his victory in an October 6 presidential election. The move throws general elections that are due in January into jeopardy. The vote, the first in five years, was seen as a key step in moving nuclear-armed Pakistan towards full civilian democracy. "The chief of army staff (Musharraf) has proclaimed a state of emergency in the country and issued a provisional constitutional order," the aide said on condition of anonymity. Musharraf was due to address the nation later, the aide added. A senior government official said that under the order judges of the superior court can be asked to take a fresh oath to Musharraf. Musharraf, a key US ally in the "war on terror," has been at loggerheads with the Supreme Court for months and ministers had hinted that a state of emergency could be imposed if it ruled against his election win. Pakistan's government held a special cabinet meeting earlier Saturday to approve the declaration of an emergency, a senior government official said. Pakistan's private television channels suddenly went off the air earlier Saturday amid reports that a such a step was likely. A senior official at Dawn television, which broadcasts in English, said transmission had been shut down. "Our channel has been taken off the air and it seems it is related to reports of emergency rule being imposed in the country," Dawn director of news Azhar Abbas told AFP. The Supreme Court has ruled that the official result of the October presidential election, in which Musharraf won another five-year term, cannot be declared until it rules whether the vote was legal. Musharraf is also confronting a wave of Islamic militancy that has claimed the lives of more than 400 civilians and security personnel since government troops stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July. Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan on October 18 and then flew to Dubai on Thursday, said earlier this week that she had heard speculation that Musharraf could declare a state of emergency. Bhutto said on Wednesday she had decided to postpone her visit "due to rumours of the possible imposition of an emergency in view of the pending cases before the Supreme Court about General Musharraf's elections." Musharraf had pledged to step down as army chief by November 15 if he won the election, but has not said what he would do if the court overturns his victory. The court said this week it would not be cowed by ministerial hints of emergency action. The emergency will also likely shatter a proposed power-sharing deal between Bhutto and Musharraf, which has been pushed by the United States and Britain ahead of general elections. Washington and London have been quietly pushing a scenario which would see Musharraf as a civilian president and Bhutto serving a third time as premier.

Pakistan in state of emergency

No official reason was given, but the declaration came as Musharraf, who seized power in a coup in 1999, awaited a Supreme Court decision that could have overturned his victory in an October 6 presidential election.

The move throws general elections that are due in January into jeopardy. The vote, the first in five years, was seen as a key step in moving nuclear-armed Pakistan towards full civilian democracy.

"The chief of army staff (Musharraf) has proclaimed a state of emergency in the country and issued a provisional constitutional order," the aide said on condition of anonymity.

Musharraf was due to address the nation later, the aide added.

A senior government official said that under the order judges of the superior court can be asked to take a fresh oath to Musharraf.

Musharraf, a key US ally in the "war on terror," has been at loggerheads with the Supreme Court for months and ministers had hinted that a state of emergency could be imposed if it ruled against his election win.

Pakistan's government held a special cabinet meeting earlier Saturday to approve the declaration of an emergency, a senior government official said.

Pakistan's private television channels suddenly went off the air earlier Saturday amid reports that a such a step was likely.

A senior official at Dawn television, which broadcasts in English, said transmission had been shut down.

"Our channel has been taken off the air and it seems it is related to reports of emergency rule being imposed in the country," Dawn director of news Azhar Abbas told AFP.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the official result of the October presidential election, in which Musharraf won another five-year term, cannot be declared until it rules whether the vote was legal.

Musharraf is also confronting a wave of Islamic militancy that has claimed the lives of more than 400 civilians and security personnel since government troops stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July.

Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan on October 18 and then flew to Dubai on Thursday, said earlier this week that she had heard speculation that Musharraf could declare a state of emergency.

Bhutto said on Wednesday she had decided to postpone her visit "due to rumours of the possible imposition of an emergency in view of the pending cases before the Supreme Court about General Musharraf's elections."

Musharraf had pledged to step down as army chief by November 15 if he won the election, but has not said what he would do if the court overturns his victory.

The court said this week it would not be cowed by ministerial hints of emergency action.

The emergency will also likely shatter a proposed power-sharing deal between Bhutto and Musharraf, which has been pushed by the United States and Britain ahead of general elections.

Washington and London have been quietly pushing a scenario which would see Musharraf as a civilian president and Bhutto serving a third time as premier.