Musharraf imposes emergency rule

By Kamran Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in a bid to end an eight-month crisis over his rule fuelled by challenges from a hostile judiciary, Islamist militants 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, after purging the Supreme Court and rounding up lawyers opposed to him.

"I cannot allow this country to commit suicide."

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.

The United States, a staunch Musharraf ally, called the measure "very disappointing". Musharraf's announcement effectively dashed U.S. hopes that parliamentary elections due in January would mark a transition to civilian-led democracy.

In the capital Islamabad, armored personnel carriers and military trucks patrolled the streets while roadblocks with metal barriers were set up on the main thoroughfares.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in recent months with a wave of suicide attacks, including an assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto last month that killed 139 people.

Bhutto flew back to Pakistan on Saturday from a brief visit to Dubai and accused Musharraf of imposing "mini-martial law" Another leading opposition figure, former cricket captain Imran Khan, was placed under house arrest.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whose earlier suspension in March marked the beginning of a slide in Musharraf's popularity, was sacked, Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani said.

The court had said on Friday it would reconvene on Monday and decide quickly on whether Musharraf could remain president.

Chaudhry was escorted home by police from the Supreme Court where he and other judges had refused to endorse the emergency.

AL QAEDA

The United States, which regards Musharraf as a crucial ally against al Qaeda in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, had earlier urged Musharraf to avoid taking authoritarian measures.

"This action is very disappointing," White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. "President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office."