Monday, November 05, 2007

Musharaff has declared a state of emergency, suspends Constitutution

Pakistan is obviously in trouble. Pakistan’s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf has declared emergency rule, suspended the constitution and closed down the country’s private television stations.

Although there has been a lot of conflict with the Taliban and fundamentalist militants, the declaration of martial law from Musharraf had to happen at this time because the Pakistani Supreme Court was going to declare this week that Musharraf was not eligible to run for reelection a few weeks ago (when he was reelected) because he remains a General on active duty. Since Musharraf originally took power in a coup in 1969, this declaration of martial law when the Supreme Court threatened to rule him ineligible for reelection as President is entirely in character.

This isn't about the threat to Pakistan from Islamic fundamentalists. This is about Musharraf keeping his job as President.

The Times of India points out that Bush has warned Musharraf not to declare martial law. Musharraf has defied Bush. No telling what Bush will do.

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