http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/09/asia/AS-GEN-Pakistan-Emergency.php

quote:

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The government of embattled Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Thursday it may impose a state of emergency because of "external and internal threats" and deteriorating law and order in the volatile northwest near the Afghan border.

Tariq Azim, minister of state for information, said some sentiment coming from the United States, including from Democratic presidential hopeful Barak Obama, over the possibility of U.S. military action against al-Qaida in Pakistan "has started alarm bells ringing and has upset the Pakistani public."

But it appeared the motivation for a declaration of an emergency would be the domestic political woes of Musharraf, a key ally in the U.S. war on terrorism who took power in a 1999 coup.

His popularity has dwindled and his standing has been badly shaken by a failed bid to oust the country's chief justice — an independent-minded judge likely to rule on expected legal challenges to Musharraf's bid to seek a new five-year presidential term this fall.

The Pakistani government's comments on a possible emergency declaration came hours after Musharraf abruptly announced he was canceling a planned trip to Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday to attend a U.S.-backed tribal peace council aimed at curtailing cross-border militancy by the Taliban and al-Qaida.

The decision to cancel the trip appeared linked to the government's deliberations over declaring a state of emergency.

During a state of emergency, the government can restrict the freedom to move, rally, engage in political activities or form groups and impose other limits such as restricting the parliament's right to make laws or even dissolving parliament.

"These are only unconfirmed reports although the possibility of imposition of emergency cannot be ruled out and has recently been talked about and discussed, keeping in mind some external and internal threats and the law and order situation," Azim told The Associated Press.

"I cannot say that it will be tonight, tomorrow or later. We hope that it does not happen. But we are going through difficult circumstances so the possibility of an emergency cannot be ruled out," he added.

Pakistani television networks reported that a declaration of an emergency was imminent, but other senior government officials said no final decision had been made.

Things seem to be moving right along ... I think Waziristan is about to get very warm.

The only problem, . . . is making sure the military and police will obey the order. Not sure where their allegiance really lies. . .

Well he is the dictator of Pakistan so he can pretty much do whatever he wants.

Oops, I'm sorry.

PRESIDENT of Pakistan.

It will be interesting to see how India reacts to this...

quote:

Originally posted by SgtSchaeffersMom:
The only problem, . . . is making sure the military and police will obey the order. Not sure where their allegiance really lies. . .

Mom - That's one of the problems President Musharaff has had with the public in Pakistan, holding both titles of President and General of the Military. As yet he's has not given up his military title. So, he's firmly in control. In fact when he left the country once early afer the military coup the Justice department tried to declare him illegal as leader, taking over the country. His fellow military generals came to his aid before he had the chance of returning to the country keeping his office intact. Somewhat explains why he tried to fire the Chief Justice recently, they are not friends. Also, the police are somewhat maligned in Pakistan, but I've read stories of bravery that rivals the imagination. Pakistan might not be as quick coming to our wants and needs of protecting the borders and putting the Pashtun in their place, but we have to remember most are countrymen of Pakistan and Afghanistan. BTW, Musharaff stood for general election and was elected by the majority of Pakistani......... Waziristan has been self ruled for centuries. One of the problems is that past administration caved and gave them the opportunity of using Sharia law. Horror stories coming from here and other outlying territories of stoning and revenge killings prove that education other than in the madrasass teachings of Islam are permitted. But overall, there are beautiful cities, and universities. Lahor is noted for their financial centers and many institutions of learning. Again, we get media coverage of the bad things and none from the westernized part of the country.

Here's a story I read this morning. Many of the fighting occurring is with the former government of Kabul, but many Arab, Chechnya and Al Qaeda recently relocated from Iraq are found to be part of the mix.



Fighters killed in Pakistan clashes



At least 12 fighters including foreigners have been killed in a raid by Pakistani gunship helicopters in a remote tribal area near the Afghan border, according to the Pakistan military.
Mortars were fired during Tuesday's attack at a hideout some 20km west of Miranshah, the main town in the North Waziristan tribal district.
"There are unconfirmed reports that six to eight Arabs, Tajiks and Chechens were among the militants killed in the operation," Major-General Waheed Arshad, a senior military spokesman, said on Wednesday.
He said around 10 fighters were also wounded.

Hotbed of support
North Waziristan is seen as a hotbed of support for the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and an army offensive has been anticipated since fighters abandoned, last month, a peace pact struck with the government in September.
There have been several clashes between Pakistani troops and fighters over the past few weeks as the army reinforced checkpoints and carried out more patrols.
Fighters have struck back with a series of attacks, including suicide bombings, in Waziristan and elsewhere in the North West Frontier Province.
More than 200 people have been killed in bomb attacks and clashes since trouble broke out at the Red Mosque in early July.
On Tuesday, Arshad announced the launch of an offensive by Pakistani security forces against hideouts that he said were being used by pro-Taliban fighters in North Waziristan.
He said forces hit targets in Daygan, a village 15km west of the town Miranshah, after receiving "credible intelligence that fighters were present there".
Cobra helicopter gunships and artillery launched the attack at about 5am (0000 GMT) and it lasted about four hours, he said.
No ground forces were used in the assault, and there was no immediate word on casualties.
Staging post
"The militants used to regroup and prepare attacks on security forces and take refuge at these compounds, so security forces targeted them," Arshad said, calling the compounds a "staging post."
A doctor in Miranshah said his hospital received three wounded people, including two children.
Witnesses there said the helicopters destroyed three houses. They also said the army was using mortars and artillery.
"As soon as firing began we ran out and during that a bomb hit our house," Attaullah Jan, one of the wounded, said from a hospital bed.

quote:

Originally posted by rayevinsonsr:
Musharaff stood for general election and was elected by the majority of Pakistani.........

You forgot a few things:

"General" Musharref took power in a military coup de tat in 1999, tossed out the ruling government and had himself "appointed" President in 2001.

He ordered a new oath be taken by judges (making them loyal to the military) and many of them resigned.

With "new" judges in place (loyal to Musharref) he held a referendum in 2002 to "legitimize" his Presidency.

The majority of political groups boycotted the referendum, voter turnout was below 30% and there were widespread complaints of fraud.

No worries mate, the judiciary (remember them?)validated the results of the referendum and Pakistan now had a new "President".

The new "President" promised to give up his position as head of the Army but that hasn't happened yet........

quote:

Originally posted by rayevinsonsr:

Mom - That's one of the problems President Musharaff has had with the public in Pakistan, holding both titles of President and General of the Military. As yet he's has not given up his military title. So, he's firmly in control. In fact when he left the country once early afer the military coup the Justice department tried to declare him illegal as leader, taking over the country. His fellow military generals came to his aid before he had the chance of returning to the country keeping his office intact. Somewhat explains why he tried to fire the Chief Justice recently, they are not friends. Also, the police are somewhat maligned in Pakistan, but I've read stories of bravery that rivals the imagination. Pakistan might not be as quick coming to our wants and needs of protecting the borders and putting the Pashtun in their place, but we have to remember most are countrymen of Pakistan and Afghanistan. BTW, Musharaff stood for general election and was elected by the majority of Pakistani......... Waziristan has been self ruled for centuries. One of the problems is that past administration caved and gave them the opportunity of using Sharia law. Horror stories coming from here and other outlying territories of stoning and revenge killings prove that education other than in the madrasass teachings of Islam are permitted. But overall, there are beautiful cities, and universities. Lahor is noted for their financial centers and many institutions of learning. Again, we get media coverage of the bad things and none from the westernized part of the country.

Hmmmm, . . . maybe I am confusing the military with the intelligence officers??????