Re: EMERGENCY IMPOSED IN PAKISTAN
“*The U.S. called for Musharraf to restore democracy. However, the Pentagon said the emergency declaration does not affect U.S. military support for Pakistan and its efforts in the war on terrorism. Britain said it was deeply concerned.”
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In his television address, Musharraf said he hoped democracy would be restored following parliamentary elections.
“Unless General Musharraf reverses the course it will be very difficult to have fair elections,” Benazir told Sky News television by telephone. "I agree with him that we are facing a political crisis, but I believe the problem is dictatorship, I don’t believe the solution is dictatorship.
“The extremists need a dictatorship, and dictatorship needs extremists.”
In justification, the emergency order obtained by The Associated Press said “the constitution provides no solution for this situation, there is no way out except through emergent and extraordinary measures,” it said.
Musharraf’s order allows courts to function but suspends some fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, including freedom of speech. It also allows authorities to detain people without informing them of the charges.