Frankly, at this point....I am not sure....
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule in an attempt to reassert his flagging authority against challenges from Islamist militants, a hostile judiciary and political rivals.
General Musharraf said he decided to act on Saturday in response to a rise in extremism and what he called the paralysis of government by judicial interference.
"I fear that if timely action is not taken, then God forbid there is a threat to Pakistan's sovereignty," he said in a midnight televised address.
"I cannot allow this country to commit suicide."
The United States, a staunch ally of Musharraf, called his declaration of a state of emergency "very disappointing."
Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in recent months with a wave of suicide attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, including one assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto that killed 139 people.
Opposition leader Bhutto flew back to Pakistan on Saturday and accused Musharraf of imposing "mini-martial law." Another leading opposition figure, former cricket captain Imran Khan, was placed under house arrest.
Television channels said that Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whose earlier suspension in March marked the beginning of a slide in Musharraf's popularity, had been told that his services were "no longer required."
Witnesses said troops were deployed at Pakistan Television and radio stations, and most phone lines were down. Most private television channels were taken off the air.
Troops also sealed off the thoroughfare where the presidency building, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court are located.
There had been increasing speculation that Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, might declare an emergency rather than run the risk the Supreme Court would rule against his re-election as president last month.
Not looking good. However, if I were Benazhir Bhutto, I would be more worried about getting things going against the people who tried to blow me up than in fomenting more rage and insecurity.
