NationStates Jolt Archive

Faced with increasing violence and unrest, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf today declared a state of emergency, government sources told CNN. The Supreme Court declared the state of emergency illegal. Shortly after, the chief justice was expelled from office.

Who did not see this coming? All hell is breaking loose in Pakistan now.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/03/pakistan.emergency/index.html

If anyone is surprise,it'll be because they've lived under a bloody rock for the last 6 years.

The BBC places these two paragraphs together very nicely:
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who condemned the moves, has reportedly been sacked and is being confined to the Supreme Court with 10 other judges.

It comes as the court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's re-election victory in October.
(Source) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7076670.stm)

If anyone is surprise,it’ll be because they’ve lived under a bloody rock for the last 6 years.
Mmm, quite.

Musharraf is really giving his military dictator role all he’s got.

Oo, that should be interesting...

If anyone is surprise,it'll be because they've lived under a bloody rock for the last 6 years.

It was a matter of when, not if.

When Musharraf got his loyalists into top posts (Kiyani etc) recently, it was more or less confirmed that martial law was coming pretty soon.

I am worried that he will do something stupid like provoking/starting a war with India, because that is probably the only thing that can divert attention and unite the country behind him.

Oo, that should be interesting...

how about we have a pool on how it goes ten bucks says that it goes down the drains

Looks like Chief Justice Choudhary has been "detained" by army troops entering the Supreme court.

News channels have been blocked out.

Benazir is flying back from Dubai.

A friend who lives there wrote me that rumors are that several suicide bombers have been sent from NWFP into the main cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi etc (where the army is garrisoned).

Many frontier corps paramilitary and some army are already mobilised in the tribal areas like Swat and fighting is going on there.

ten bucks says that it goes down the drains

I'm in. Ten bucks, down the drains. We're gonna make a lot of money.

I am reproducing what my friend wrote me, so take it FWIW.

Telephone and Cellular Services are being cut.

An 8 member Supreme court bench led by Chief Justice Iftikar Choudhry has suspended the martial law order. That's probably why troops stormed the court premises and detained the Chief Justice.

The Supreme court is under siege.

Benazir is on her way to Pakistan. Rumors are that she will be cut a deal by Musharraf to lend legitimacy to his actions.

Rumors are that prominent politicians and journalists are going to be "detained" by the ISI to pre-empt any rebellion.

ISI was given more sweeping powers just a few days back. It was another indicator of the coming emergency.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP): Following is the text of the Proclamation of Emergency declared by Chief of the Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday:

“WHEREAS there is visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, IED explosions, rocket firing and bomb explosions and the banding together of some militant groups have taken such activities to an unprecedented level of violent intensity posing a grave threat to the life and property of the citizens of Pakistan;

WHEREAS there has also been a spate of attacks on State infrastructure and on law enforcement agencies;

WHEREAS some members of the judiciary are working at cross purposes with the executive nd legislature in the fight against terrorism and extremism thereby weakening the Government and the nation’s resolve and diluting the efficacy of its actions to control this menace;

WHEREAS there has been increasing interference by some members of the judiciary in government policy, adversely affecting economic growth, in particular;

WHEREAS constant interference in executive functions, including but not limited to the control of terrorist activity, economic policy, price controls, downsizing of corporations and urban planning, has weakened the writ of the government; the police force has been completely demoralized and is fast losing its efficacy to fight terrorism and Intelligence Agencies have been thwarted in their activities and prevented from pursuing terrorists;

WHEREAS some hard core militants, extremists, terrorists and suicide bombers, who were arrested and being investigated were ordered to be released. The persons so released have subsequently been involved in heinous terrorist activities, resulting in loss of human life and property. Militants across the country have, thus, been encouraged while law enforcement agencies subdued;

WHEREAS some judges by overstepping the limits of judicial authority have taken over the executive and legislative functions;

WHEREAS the Government is committed to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law and holds the superior judiciary in high esteem, it is nonetheless of paramount importance that the Honourable Judges confine the scope of their activity to the judicial function and not assume charge of administration;

WHEREAS an important Constitutional institution, the Supreme Judicial Council, has been made entirely irrelevant and non est by a recent order and judges have, thus, made themselves immune from inquiry into their conduct and put themselves beyond accountability;

WHEREAS the humiliating treatment meted to government officials by some members of the judiciary on a routine basis during court proceedings has demoralized the civil bureaucracy and senior government functionaries, to avoid being harassed, prefer inaction;

WHEREAS the law and order situation in the country as well as the economy have been adversely affected and trichotomy of powers eroded;

WHEREAS a situation has thus arisen where the Government of the country cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution and as the Constitution provides no solution for this situation, there is no way out except through emergent and extraordinary measures;

AND WHEREAS the situation has been reviewed in meetings with the Prime Minister, Governors of all four Provinces, and with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chiefs of the Armed Forces, Vice-Chief of Army Staff and Corps Commanders of the Pakistan Army;

NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the deliberations and decisions of the said meetings, I General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of the Army Staff, proclaim Emergency throughout Pakistan.

2. I hereby order and proclaim that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall remain in abeyance.
3. This Proclamation shall come into force at once.”

<snip>
Thanks for the (mildly frightening) info.

Pity. Pakistan seemed like such a nice place to raise a family before this. :(

lol....Chief Justice Choudhary has been "replaced" by Abdul Hameed Dogar.

All TV channels have been blocked except the state run PTV.

Opposition leader Eitezaz Ahsan has also been detained.

Who did not see this coming? Nobody. But that did not keep the Bush admin from holding on to him. The US does not learn from past mistakes (cf. Bin Laden, Hussein, Pahlevi).

Pity. Pakistan seemed like such a nice place to raise a family before this. :(

I have fond memories of the place actually - the culture seemed nicer.

Born there, English dad, American mum.

Now it's going down the drain. Ah well.

right before elections when he would have to share power. How convenient

Pity. Pakistan seemed like such a nice place to raise a family before this. :(

Where were you planning on living, in the tribal region? :D

I have fond memories of the place actually - the culture seemed nicer.

Born there, English dad, American mum.

Now it's going down the drain. Ah well.

The last thing I'd ever want to do is attack your memories. Especially since I've never been there. But from the perspective of a textbook, they've had a very turbulent existence as a nation. *nod*

But then again, Pakistan is a large and loose nation. I bet in many parts of the country, this news has about as much impact on their daily lives as it does for us.

Where were you planning on living, in the tribal region? :D

I'd make a delightful village idiot. :)

If he starts a war with India, I'm definitely on India's side.

Makes 2 of us. I just hope nukes will not be used if there is a war with India.

It was a matter of when, not if.

When Musharraf got his loyalists into top posts (Kiyani etc) recently, it was more or less confirmed that martial law was coming pretty soon.

I am worried that he will do something stupid like provoking/starting a war with India, because that is probably the only thing that can divert attention and unite the country behind him.

If he starts a war with India, I'm definitely on India's side.

Apparently constitution has been suspended. But the elected govt has not been suspended.

There is a confusion as to whether this is emergency or martial law. Things are in a state of flux. Musharraf is to give a televised speech soon.

I think this could very well be the beginning of the end for Musharraf.

Apparently constitution has been suspended. But the elected govt has not been suspended.

There is a confusion as to whether this is emergency or martial law. Things are in a state of flux. Musharraf is to give a televised speech soon.

From what I am hearing..it is a state of emergency and not Martial Law.

The last thing I'd ever want to do is attack your memories. Especially since I've never been there. But from the perspective of a textbook, they've had a very turbulent existence as a nation. *nod*

But then again, Pakistan is a large and loose nation. I bet in many parts of the country, this news has about as much impact on their daily lives as it does for us.

Oh, it's had a terrible time of it, no doubt about that. I do feel that most of the problems are in its politics however - the culture and people are really fantastic. Ah well.

(Trivia: on April 1st 08, I'll have lived over 50% of my life in the UK, instead of Pakistan holding the honour)

From what I am hearing..it is a state of emergency and not Martial Law.

legally, it does not make sense. The constitution has been suspended. Only a constitutional authority can declare emergency. It is a martial law but it is being called as emergency.

Damn activist judiciary, eh?

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who condemned the moves, has been replaced and is being confined to the Supreme Court with 10 other judges.

It comes as the court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's re-election victory in October.

The court was to decide whether Gen Musharraf was eligible to run for election last month while remaining army chief.

The BBC's Barbara Plett reports from Islamabad that fears have been growing in the government that the Supreme Court ruling could go against Gen Musharraf.

Chief Justice Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the emergency order, declaring it unconstitutional, resulting in Mr Chaudhry's dismissal.

A new chief justice has now been appointed, officials say. He is Supreme Court judge Abdul Hameed Dogar, a supporter of Gen Musharraf who was a member of the special tribunal appointed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Mr Chaudhry.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7076670.stm

Damn activist judiciary, eh?

I have high regards for Justice Choudhary. Most men would not have done what he did. Dunno what will happen to him.

Ironically, he might become a "missing person" himself. It was the missing persons (people picked up by ISI), that started the conflict between him and Musharraf.

Benazir has landed in Karachi.

Pakistan's main opposition leader, Benezir Bhutto, flew back to the country from Dubai and was sitting in an airplane at Karachi's airport, waiting to see if she would be arrested or deported, a spokesman said. Dozens of paramilitary troops surrounded her house.

Trivia - this is the fourth time martial law has been declared in Pakistan.

I'll actually be quite interested to see how this plays out. It might certainly have repurcussions for Afghanistan.

Time for world leaders to issue "Gravely concerned" and "deeply disturbed" statements.

I have high regards for Justice Choudhary.

Yeah, me too.

I'm actually kind of proud of the judges and lawyers over there, how they took to the streets not far back.

Time for world leaders to issue "Gravely concerned" and "deeply disturbed" statements.

It has already started.

Yeah, me too.

I'm actually kind of proud of the judges and lawyers over there, how they took to the streets not far back.

Not just taking to the streets :D

http://www.taipeitimes.com/images/2007/03/20/20070319182022.jpeg

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42671000/jpg/_42671799_throw_afp416.jpg

Not just taking to the streets :D

http://www.taipeitimes.com/images/2007/03/20/20070319182022.jpeg

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42671000/jpg/_42671799_throw_afp416.jpg

I do like a well dressed mob of protesters, I really do :)

Something neither Gandhi nor Jinnah will or would like to see :(

Lawyers, judges and barristers taking to the streets. Something rarely seen in my life here in Malaysia.

Well, let's wait to see what the world has to say. Quite sure 75% would condemn these acts, sit down and adopt their favorite policy, "The Do-Nothing Until Someone In Our Country Gets Hurt/Dies/Blows Up in Suicide Bombing/Gets the Severe Case of the Bombay Diarrhea who Works as either a(n) Independent Journalist/Regular Journalist/Diplomatic Mission/Aid Worker Unless He/She/It/Alien is Responsible for these Attacks/Coup/Suicide Bombings/Child Abductions/Touched Children Inappropriately in [NAME OF COUNTRY]" policy.

Trust me, they have never ceased to amaze me with that policy which works to their benefit... :rolleyes:

Something neither Gandhi nor Jinnah will or would like to see :(

Lawyers, judges and barristers taking to the streets. Something rarely seen in my life here in Malaysia.

Well, let's wait to see what the world has to say. Quite sure 75% would condemn these acts, sit down and adopt their favorite policy, "The Do-Nothing Until Someone In Our Country Gets Hurt/Dies/Blows Up in Suicide Bombing/Gets the Severe Case of the Bombay Diarrhea who Works as either a(n) Independent Journalist/Regular Journalist/Diplomatic Mission/Aid Worker Unless He/She/It/Alien is Responsible for these Attacks/Coup/Suicide Bombings/Child Abductions/Touched Children Inappropriately in [NAME OF COUNTRY]" policy.

Trust me, they have never ceased to amaze me with that policy which works to their benefit... :rolleyes:

Yeah, but what can be done?

Makes 2 of us. I just hope nukes will not be used if there is a war with India.

As far as I've heard, they both have the power to do so. I'm from India myself (ancestrally), and I'd rather not see my grandparents' house nuked, so I agree.

Appears that US knew and tried to prevent this. Jordan's king and US Central Command chief Admiral William Fallon visited him on just days before. Benazir also flew out to the UAE, possibly on a tip off.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Musharraf_defies_Bush_snubs_Rice/articleshow/2515441.cms
WASHINGTON: Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf's has defied the advice of his American benefactors in imposing martial law and Emergency, but Washington appears set to finesse the situation yet again because of what it sees as the overall US interest in the so-called war on terror.

The first sign that Washington is ready to wink at Musharraf's crackdown came when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stopped short of condemning the development and instead described it as "highly regrettable."

She told CNN that the United States does not support extra-constitutional measures and urged restraint on all sides and a "swift return to democracy."

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the Bush administration was "deeply disturbed" by the developments while offering words of support to the Pakistani people.

"The United States stands with the people of Pakistan in supporting a democratic process and in countering violent extremism," McCormack, who is accompanying Rice on her visit to Turkey, told AP . "We urge all parties to work together to complete the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence or delay."

But the statements fell well short of the kind of condemnations Washington routinely issues against countries, excepting vassal states, that suppress democratic rights, indicating that the administration was already finessing Musharraf's crackdown.

There was no word from Rice or her underlings about the arrest of the chief justice and his associates or about the crackdown on the media.

Musharraf's precipitate step came hours after the Bush administration sent high level envoys, including the top U.S military commander for the region, Admiral William Fallon, to dissuade him from moving in that direction. But the military dictator is believed to have argued before Fallon that the security situation in the country and the war against al-Qaida and the Taliban demanded Emergency measures.

Musharraf also rejected Fallon's offer to send U.S troops to the region, saying American forces would only exacerbate the situation, and demanding instead that Washington supply more military hardware.

Musharraf's declaration of Emergency came only a day after Rice publicly said Washington would not be supportive of any extra-constitutional means and asked that he proceed with the scheduled parliamentary elections. Nearly a month ago, Rice had made a 2 a.m phone call to Musharraf to ask him not to impose Emergency when such a move seemed imminent.

With Washington shut down for the weekend, US mandarins and regional specialists have enough time to spin their way out of what is obviously a direct snub to a Bush administration policy of engineering a civilian-military deal in Pakistan.

That deal now appears to have come unstuck.

Washington though clearly had the inside scoop on Musharraf's impending moves.

Besides sending Fallon and Jordan's King Abdulla to persuade Musharraf not to go down the Emergency route, the U.S also baled out its current prima donna Benazir Bhutto, who fled to Dubai hours before the military action, ostensibly to meet her family.

But the scuttlebutt in Islamabad and Washington is that Benazir -- and the U.S -- knew the crackdown was coming, and she was advised to leave. How Washington will handle this public defiance by Musharraf of the line it laid down -- besides defying popular opinion in Pakistan -- will unravel over the next week.

Musharraf's journey from Washington's poster boy to possibly its problem child has been gradual but understated. Publicly, the Bush administration still swears by him; privately, it began swearing at him some months back when reports first surfaced that he was holding back on Washington in its war on terror.

But instead of dumping him overnight as it often does with odious dictators, Washington decided that the delicate war on terror business demanded a gradual transition in Pakistan, a country seen as the ground zero of world terrorism.

That was when the Bush administration decided to interject Benazir Bhutto, the discredited former prime minister who was not even getting a low level state department appointment till last year.

But with Musharraf in no mood to relent, Washington is now faced with a sticky new situation in a country now commonly described as the most dangerous place in the world.

I can tell you now, he'll meet his end like General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. It'd be pretty deserved.

The constitution has been suspended but the assembly, which derives its legitimacy from the constitution is still intact and functioning. Musharraf suspended the constitution as Chief of Army Staff, NOT as a president. Everything else (legislature and executive) seems normal. He has sworn in new judges in place of the dissenting ones.

He is just getting rid of all his opponents.

I'm in. Ten bucks, down the drains. We're gonna make a lot of money.

At the odds, even if you win, you'll be lucky to break even.

I can tell you now, he'll meet his end like General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. It'd be pretty deserved.

Good luck getting Pervy on board the plane.

It was a matter of when, not if.

When Musharraf got his loyalists into top posts (Kiyani etc) recently, it was more or less confirmed that martial law was coming pretty soon.

I am worried that he will do something stupid like provoking/starting a war with India, because that is probably the only thing that can divert attention and unite the country behind him.

Look to the words of Bhutto on this one...she is right. He will most likely fuel extremist (i.e al Qaeda) to create an enemy for him and Pakistan to fight. The people will fall behind him, and with the imposing military government, more will turn to radicalism. It is win-win for the bad guys. I'd be surprised to see Bhutto remain alive and free for more than a year. She is the only real threat to Musharraf once his power is completely consolidtated.

Look to the words of Bhutto on this one...she is right. He will most likely fuel extremist (i.e al Qaeda) to create an enemy for him and Pakistan to fight. The people will fall behind him, and with the imposing military government, more will turn to radicalism. It is win-win for the bad guys. I'd be surprised to see Bhutto remain alive and free for more than a year. She is the only real threat to Musharraf once his power is completely consolidtated.

Benazir got US backing her. Else she would have not set foot there and Musharraf would not have let her in (unlike what he did to Nawaz). I think the deal is to let her be the civilian face (PM) to a military rule by Musharraf as the president. He would not have created the NRO which is expected to "pardon" Benazir of the cases against her. She also got tipped of to leave the country before the coup/emergency/whatever you call it. Her return subsequently is also not impeded.

Benazir's looted enough money to spend her life in luxury away from Pakistan. She would not risk her life if not for assurances and backing.

The core Punjabi constituency is still behind Musharraf and they would remain so.

To me, the threat to Musharraf will be from within the army. He has filled the top posts with loyalists. But so did Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with Zia and Zia hung him. So did Nawaz himself with Musharraf and Musharraf threw him out. I am guessing a similar fate for Musharraf.

The constitution has been suspended but the assembly, which derives its legitimacy from the constitution is still intact and functioning. Musharraf suspended the constitution as Chief of Army Staff, NOT as a president. Everything else (legislature and executive) seems normal. He has sworn in new judges in place of the dissenting ones.

He is just getting rid of all his opponents.

That he is... And it seems he's going beyond just the judiciary:

Pakistani opposition leaders and activists have been detained in the wake of President Pervez Musharraf's decision to declare emergency rule.

The acting head of the party of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif was arrested, while ex-cricketer and politician Imran Khan said he was under house arrest.

Senior lawyers have also been detained, including heads of bar associations.

Gen Musharraf has defended his decision, saying he could not allow the country to commit suicide.

He said Pakistan was in a crisis caused by militant violence and a judiciary which had paralysed the government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7077443.stm

I for one think that Bush is screwing up big time by supporting Musharref while claiming to be fighting for democracy. Not good for our troops in Afghanistan.
If the people oust Musharref, it's not going to be good for America. I'm sure there will be animosity because of Bush continuing to support Musharref.
The US needs to cut support for Musharref and demand that he restore the democratic government.
Our government failing to do so could push the people of Pakistan into openly supporting Al Qaeda like never before.

Major Policy Blunder anyone????

I'm in. Ten bucks, down the drains. We're gonna make a lot of money.

booyahahahaa!

Makes 2 of us. I just hope nukes will not be used if there is a war with India.

make that 3 even if their fellow muslims this doesnt allow for retardedness, no offense intended for the retarded people

make that 3

There should be a poll. :cool:

Musharraf has this knack of making seemingly clever but actually stupid statements....

http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/04pak13.htm
Under attack from the West for clamping Emergency, President General Musharraf wore the shield of "learning" and told them not to demand of Pakistan their level of democracy.

The General, while taking on his critics, also compared his situation with that of former US president Abraham Lincoln.

Trying to send a message to the world, especially the US, European Union and Commonwealth, Musharraf said, "To the critics and idealists, I would like to say please do not accept or demand your level of democracy which you have learnt over four centuries."

"Please give us time. Please do not accept the same level of civil liberties and human rights that you earned over centuries. We are also learning. Please give us time," he said in an apparent effort to blunt calls by the West for rapid restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

"We are trying to learn and we are doing very well. Please give us time," the General said.

"I would ask you to kindly understand the criticality of the situation inside and around Pakistan. Pakistan is on the verge of destablisation," Musharraf said.
Comparing his situation with that of Lincoln, Musharraf read out his quotation justifying imposition of martial law in 1864.

"The justification was a necessity," he said. Quoting Lincoln, he said life cannot be put to risk for a limb and sometimes a limb has to be amputated to save life.

:rolleyes:

The gangrene is the army's interference beyond it's mandate. It is the army which has to be amputated to save Pakistan.

Musharraf has this knack of making seemingly clever but actually stupid statements....

http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/04pak13.htm


:rolleyes:

The gangrene is the army's interference beyond it's mandate. It is the army which has to be amputated to save Pakistan.

Apparently Musharraf needs to learn American History a tad more.

Apparently Musharraf needs to learn American History a tad more.

That's the least of his problems... I mean, there's more than enough Americans ready, willing and able to assist him as best they can, aren't there? Has been that way for a long time now.

That's the least of his problems... I mean, there's more than enough Americans ready, willing and able to assist him as best they can, aren't there? Has been that way for a long time now.

Only dictators of the would should have by now learned their lessons. Getting help from the United States is like pitching a new show idea that doesn't involve complete strangers backstabbing and humiliating each other for a grand prize to FOX. Sure they both might give you a trial run, but no matter how critically acclaimed you might be, they'll both cancel you if you don't contribute to The Bottom Line.

And you'd think Pervy would learn from the lessons of Fred Marcos. The last time he declared martial law in the middle of election we all saw what happened.

Third town falls to Pakiban.

http://www.ibnlive.com/pix/sitepix/11_2007/taliban_infographic_400.jpg



http://www.ibnlive.com/printpage.php?id=51898&section_id=2
Taliban backed Islamist militants have raised their head again in the North Western Frontier Province even as Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf is busy silencing his critics.

After capturing Matta and Khwazakhela towns on Tuesday, Islamic militants seized Madayan town in Swat last night. The militants reportedly stated that since there was very little resistance offered by the army and security forces, they did not harm the security personnel in turn.

The militia is now continuing its forward march and is moving towards Mingora town.

The militia has not only imposed Shariah in occupied areas but also removed Pakistan's national flags from all government buildings in the five sub-divisions now under their control.

They are also appointing their own administrators in the captured areas.

According to Pakistani media reports militants from Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Waziristan have joined Taliban backed leader Maulana Fazlullah's armed supporters, to fight security forces and impose the Sharia in Swat.

an excellent op-ed

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/opinion/07hanif.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1194451287-zcCHn/RYqUvwYUObhpgjDw
Pakistan’s General Anarchy
By MOHAMMED HANIF

London

THE power grab last weekend by Pakistan’s president, Pervez Musharraf, cleverly timed to stall the Western reaction for 48 hours, was essentially a coup against himself:p. Faced with increasing demands to give up his position as military chief and confront the complexities of civilian rule, General Musharraf decided to topple President Musharraf.

In an interview a couple of months ago, General Musharraf said that his army uniform was his second skin: “How can I possibly take it off?” His comment was dismissed at the time as old-school dictator-talk.

But a few weeks ago he submitted an affidavit in Pakistan’s Supreme Court stating that if his election as president was not validated, he’d continue to work as the army chief — indefinitely. As the Supreme Court contemplated this ultimatum, General Musharraf got the jitters and decided to lock up most of the court’s judges, and also to pull the plug on every independent news source in the country.

To understand the difference between the general and the president, one only has to look at the lists of people detained and released on the night of the coup. The first people to be arrested after the imposition of emergency were not the leaders of Pakistani Taliban, nor their sympathizers in Islamabad. There was no crackdown on sleeper cells that have orchestrated a wave of suicide bombings across Pakistan.

The people he has arrested in the last few days besides judges and lawyers have included peace activists, teachers, artists — basically the kind of people who have done more than anybody else to push ahead his avowed agenda of moving Pakistan away from religious militancy.

On the night he declared the emergency, General Musharraf released 28 Taliban prisoners; according to news reports, one was serving a sentence of 24 years for transporting two suicide bombers’ jackets, the only fashion accessory allowed in Pakistan’s Taliban-controlled areas. These are the kind of people who on their off days like to burn down video stores and harass barbers for giving shaves and head massages.

In what can be seen only as a reciprocal gesture, the Taliban released a group of army soldiers it had held hostage — according to the BBC, each soldier was given 500 rupees for good behavior.:D

Why do General Musharraf and his army feel a sense of kinship with the very people they are supposed to be fighting against? Why are he and his army scared of liberal lawyers and teachers but happy to deal with Islamist Pashtuns in the tribal areas?

The reasons can be traced back to the 1980s, when another military dictator, Gen. Zia ul-Haq, launched a broad campaign to Islamicize Pakistani society and the armed forces in particular. Back then, I was a cadet at Pakistan’s Air Force Academy, where I witnessed, along with hundreds of other aghast cadets, a remarkable scene in which a new recruit, out of religious conviction, refused to shave his beard. (Like most military training institutes in the world, the academy’s first right of passage was to turn the civilian recruits into clean-shaven jarheads.)

The issue was eventually referred to the Army high command in Islamabad, and as a result procedures for training institutes were amended — the boy was allowed to keep his beard and wear his uniform. The academy barber never recovered from the shock.

Within months there were other changes: evenings socializing to music and mocktails were replaced by Koran study sessions. Buses were provided for cadets who wanted to attend civilian religious congregations. Within months, our rather depressing but secular academy was turned into a zealous, thriving madrassa where missing your daily prayers was a crime far worse than missing the morning drill.

It is this crop of military officers that now runs the country. General Musharraf heads this army, and is very reluctant to let go.

For those who have never had to live under his regime, the general/president can come across as a rakish, daredevil figure. His résumé is impressive: here’s a man who can manage the frontline of the Western world’s war on terrorism, get rid of prime ministers at will, force his political opponents into exile and still find the time to write an autobiography:D. But ask the lawyers, judges, arts teachers and students behind bars about him, and one will find out he is your garden-variety dictator who, after having spent eight years in power, is asking why can’t he continue for another eight.

General Musharraf’s bond with his troops is not just ideological. Under his command Pakistan’s armed forces have become a hugely profitable empire. It’s the nation’s pre-eminent real estate dealer, it dominates the breakfast-cereal market, it runs banks and bakeries. Only last month Pakistan’s Navy, in an audacious move, set up a barbecue business on the banks of the Indus River about 400 miles away from the Arabian Sea it’s supposed to protect.

It’s a happy marriage between God and greed.

For now, the general’s weekend gamble seems to have paid off. From Washington and the European Union he heard regrets but no condemnation with teeth — exactly what he counted on.

General Musharraf has always tried to cultivate an impression in the West that he is the only one holding the country together, that after him we can only expect anarchy. But in a country where arts teachers and lawyers are behind bars and suicide bombers are allowed to go free, we definitely need to redefine anarchy.

Mohammed Hanif, the head of the BBC’s Urdu Service, is the author of the forthcoming novel “A Case of Exploding Mangoes.”:D

Exploding mangoes - refer to the explosives hidden in a mango crate in former dictator Zia-ul-Haq's plane which blew up the plane killing him.

So now we have an invasion of Pakistan by the Taliban. Wonderful.

Opinion from a Pak paper

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=79411
Pak flags removed from Taliban-held areas in Swat
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
By Hamid Mir

MATTA: The imposition of emergency in Pakistan has not put any pressure on Taliban in Swat district, who have not only imposed Shariah but also removed the National flags from all government buildings in areas under their control.

Taliban have taken over police stations in Matta, Khawazkhela and Charbagh. This scribe visited the Matta police station after the imposition of emergency in Pakistan. Taliban there have replaced the Pakistan's flag with their own at the police station after more than 120 soldiers surrendered two days ago.

Taliban commanders controlling Matta police station were not worried about the emergency.

Immediately after President Musharraf's speech, the Pakistan Army swapped 25 Taliban fighters for 211 kidnapped soldiers in South Waziristan.

There was a feeling of achievement among local militants over the banning of private TV channels all over the country as they think Musharraf had accepted their point of view in this matter.

Many shopkeepers in the main market of Matta condemned both Taliban and the new NWFP government. They said the government is creating problems by bombing civilians while Taliban are inflexible.

Taliban leader Maulvi Fazlullah is moving around half of the Swat area like a ruler with full protocol. He has appointed his own 'governors' in Kabal, Matta and Khawazkhela.

He has also ordered setting up of Islamic courts for providing justice in areas under his control. He has opened a complaints register in his headquarters at Iman Dherai, which was bombed many times in the last couple of weeks by the Army.

Local Taliban claim they are not responsible for slaughtering people.

They claim local population took revenge from them because gunship helicopters killed a large number of innocent people, which was regrettable.

As tension between security forces and local Taliban is increasing day by day, more than 50,000 people have fled the Taliban-controlled areas. Many areas of this tourist paradise look like haunted places.

More than 500 hotels and restaurants have closed down in the last two months. Schools have been closed in all Taliban-controlled areas. Security forces have converted many restaurants and shopping plazas into trenches. I went past more than 20 Taliban check-posts from Koza Bandi to Matta.

The Saidu Sharif airport is closed, though it is still under government control but Taliban have surrounded it from two sides. Mingora city is still controlled by the government but nobody is ready to speak against Maulvi Fazlullah even in areas, which were under government control.

Many people told us privately that the 32-year Maulvi Fazlullah is not a Mufti, he can not issue Fatwa, many well-respected Islamic scholars of the areas don't like him but they are not ready to speak against him because he is popular among local people.

Recently he got a donation of more than 4 kilogram of gold from the women of one village in Kabal because he arrested and punished three people who had kidnapped a local woman.

People under his areas are safe from dacoits and thieves but they are not safe from gunship helicopters. Many locals have requested Maulvi Fazlullah to start negotiations with the government for peace in the area.

Official sources in Mingora claimed that more Army troops are coming to Swat and a new operation will be launched soon against the al-Qaeda-sponsored Taliban.

The Taliban commanders of Swat, Bajaur, North and South Waziristan have decided to adopt a well-coordinated new strategy. They will open new fronts to counter the new operation.


And for the first time ever, Pak regular army has been pulled away from Indian border and are going to be deployed in NWFP areas. The army might pull this off, but there are going to be heavy civilian casualties due to use of area weapons. Already F-16s and gunships are being used on bombing missions. Artillery will most probably deployed to target hilltops and villages occupied by Pakibans.

more people want to exploit the middle east, gee i wonder if possibly this is the beginning of a giant global conflict. Oh wait, never mind. this so started in the cold war, now we all get to pay the price of just another mindless corporate-government lining their pockets.

more people want to exploit the middle east, gee i wonder if possibly this is the beginning of a giant global conflict. Oh wait, never mind. this so started in the cold war, now we all get to pay the price of just another mindless corporate-government lining their pockets.

Um Esote...this is NOT taking place in the Middle East.

Let's see now.

An unpopular president of a U.S. backed regime who declared martial law just on the verge of an election.

A popular opposition leader who just happens to be a woman, threatening to organize her supporters in demonstrations.

Islamic extremists running amuck in a comparatively primitive region of the country.

Oh my God, it's the Philippines all over again.