President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in
Pakistan on Saturday, state TV said, ahead of a crucial Supreme
Court decision on whether to overturn his recent election win.
The report gave no reason for the emergency but it follows weeks
of speculation that the president - who is also chief of the army -
could take the step, amid rising political turmoil and Islamic
militant violence.
"The chief of army staff has proclaimed a state of emergency and
issued a provisional constitutional order," a newscaster on
Pakistan TV said.
The US and other Western allies this week urged him not to take
steps that would jeopardize the country's transition to civilian
rule. Musharraf took power in a 1999 coup.
During previous emergencies in Pakistan, a provisional
constitutional order has led to the suspension of some basic rights
of citizens and for judges to take a fresh oath of office.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking to reporters
Thursday en route to diplomatic meetings in Turkey and the Middle
East, said the US would not support any move by Musharaff to
declare martial law.
(China Daily November 4, 2007)