Pakistan's Musharraf urges party support in crisis

By Robert Birsel

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has berated his coalition for leaving him isolated in a crisis that threatens to destabilize a country on the front line of a global anti-terrorism campaign, a newspaper reported.

Musharraf, who is also army chief, is facing the biggest challenge to his authority since he took power in 1999, over a crisis he precipitated by suspending Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on March 9.

But his government backed off new powers to shut down broadcasters following widespread criticism of media curbs introduced since protests erupted over Chaudhry's suspension on misconduct accusations.

Opposition parties calling for democracy and supporting Chaudhry held peaceful protests in several cities despite the detention this week of hundreds of activists by authorities trying to thwart demonstrations.

Musharraf will address the nation soon, government officials said, when he is expected to set out his position on the crisis. No date has been set for the address but it would not be on Thursday, they said.

The News newspaper said a frustrated Musharraf told ruling party members of parliament they were failing to come to his support.

"I bluntly say you always leave me alone in times of trial and tribulation," the paper, citing unidentified participants at the Wednesday meeting, quoted Musharraf as saying.

"I see the party nowhere. You people are not mobilized," he was quoted as telling ruling Pakistan Muslim League members.

But while the crisis is seen to have weakened Musharraf's political position in the run-up to elections, the crucial support of the army and the United States has been firm.

The United States would view with alarm instability in a nuclear-armed country where al Qaeda leaders are believed to be hiding out. Pakistan's help is also seen as crucial to success fighting the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

The News said Musharraf warned that Pakistan would find it harder to halt the spread of hardline Islamist influence, known as "Talibanisation", without his leadership.

A senior government official said the News report was exaggerated but the president had urged action.

"You should go to your constituencies and effectively defend and project government policies ... in the face of growing opposition propaganda," the official cited Musharraf as saying.

WARNING ON EMERGENCY

The crisis has led to speculation Musharraf might declare a state of emergency but he has repeatedly ruled that out and said elections due at the end of the year would be on time.