Pervez Musharraf Declares Emergency in Pakistan

As of 6PM (PST) on Saturday President General Musharraf has suspended the constitution and declared State of Emergency in Pakistan. This ends weeks of speculation that General Musharraf would impose emergency rule or martial law before the verdict from the Supreme Court on the legitimacy of his Presidency.

News channels and witnesses report that troops have been deployed at Television and Radio stations. Roads to government buildings, National Assembly and Supreme Court have been sealed off. Many TV channels have been taken off air.

Aitzaz Ahsan, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, has been arrested and the Chief Justice replaced.

According to the text of the emergency order itself Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday because of mounting militant attacks and interference by members of the judiciary - "visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings."

United States government officials including Condi Rice has called it a regrettable development.

Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif have called the people of Pakistan to take their protest to the streets.

Benazir Bhutto has yet to make an official statement. Some reports say her husband Mr. Zardari has said that Benazir is already on a flight back to Pakistan from Dubai.