Are Islamic Extremists Taking Over Pakistan?
Gen. Pervez Musharraf has declared a state of emergency in Pakistan, suspending the constitution, cutting off communications in the Capital, shutting down all television transmission except for State run TV, suspending Freedom of Speech, allowing authorities to detain people without charges and replacing the chief Supreme Court Justice.
Threatened by an ever increasing opposition both in the Islamic movement and in the Court systems, in his Emergency Order, Musharraf formally accuses Supreme Court Judges of not doing their job in fighting terrorism, and weakening the position of the government. The decision to declare a State of Emergency came on the heals of the court decision to free 61 terrorists. That decision was led by the now replaced chief justice.
“In an address to the nation late Saturday on state-run television, Musharraf said Pakistan was at a “dangerous” juncture, its government threatened by Islamic extremists. He said he hoped democracy would be restored following parliamentary elections. ” These elections meant to restore the government to civilian rule are due to take place in January.
Struggling to keep in check the spread Islamic Militants, is Musharraf’s reason for declaring the State of Emergency. But opponents are whistling a different tune. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, “I agree with him that we are facing a political crisis, but I believe the problem is dictatorship, I don’t believe the solution is dictatorship.”
Musharraf was recently re-elected by (his) Parliament but since the vote was challenged by a boycott from the opposition, it needed court approval, and the ousted Supreme Court was due to present it’s verdict on November 15th. Recent comments from some Supreme Court Judges, saying that they would not be dissuaded by threats if they ruled against the General, are believed by some to be the cause of this State of Emergency.
The world quickly responded, urging that Musharraf restore Democracy to Pakistan and show restraint.
Read More: Yahoo News:Musharraf declares emergency in Pakistan
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