Pervez Musharraf Declares Emergency in Pakistan

President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency in Pakistan. The main reasons for the emergency are uncontrollable activities of terrorists and interference of judiciary. The emergency was declared when the recently returned politician Mrs Benazir Bhutto was away to Dubai. However, she has decided to return back immediately.

With the declaration of emergency the interim constitution has come to effect and the citizen's rights have been taken away. All the private news channels have been blocked. Only PTV is functional which is being controlled by the government. With an aim to censor the flow of information, all mobile phone and SMS services have been blocked. Internet has also been blocked. The Chief Justice Mr Choudhury has been dismissed and Army has taken over the Supreme Court as well as other important places . The Supreme Court has declared the emergency "illegal".

President Pervez Musharraf will address the nation at 2330 (local time) on 03 Nov 07. New judges will take oath as per interim constitution at 2300 (local time) on 03 Nov 07.

All the major political party leaders including Mrs Benajir Bhutto (PPP), Mr Nawaj Sharif and Mr Imran Khan have condemned the emergency and have demanded restoration of constitution. With declaration of emergency, the ongoing process towards democracy has come to an abrupt halt.