The Pakistani Crackdown Continues

Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo notes that the Musharraf government’s state of emergency is taking on the familiar flavor of out-right military dictatorship.

Some key graphs from the CNN story Josh links:

“There have been 400 to 500 preventative arrests in the country,” Aziz told a news conference in Islamabad.

Media and police sources say 1,500 opposition figures from Pakistan’s military, judiciary and political sectors have been detained.

In the wake of Saturday’s declaration, the government also issued new rules forbidding newspapers and broadcasters from expressing opinions prejudicial to “the ideology of Pakistan or integrity of Pakistan”.

In response to questions on the measures taken by the Pakistan government against the media, Aziz said the press would have to abide by a new “code of conduct”.

He insisted that the code was not designed to curb dissent and that “constructive criticism is welcome.”

We have yet to hear from the President and his agenda of freedom.

Pakistan Emergency Rule Update

President Musharraf’s declaration of emergency rule leaves Pakistan’s stability in the balance. The next few days could see popular mass protests bring Musharraf’s fading rule to the brink. According to the New York Times in his address to the nation Musharraf declared the decision necessary in order to curb terrorist attacks and “preserve the democratic transition [he] initiated eight years ago.” By effectively dissolving the Supreme Court, suspending the Constitution and defying opposition leaders as well as the Bush administration, Musharraf last gasp effort to reassert his power could soon mark the end of his reign…

Pakistan Watch

So there hasn’t been a lot of coverage. Reportedly, all communications lines have been cut and the television stations are off the air.

The supreme court justices apparently announced that they “reject” the state of emergency. I don’ t know what that will do when they don’t have the guns and lack access to the media.

Apparently, Bhutto has returned from Dubai and is waiting at the Karachi airport. That Sky News report also states that Chief Justice Chaundry has been removed from his post because he refused to take a new oath of office under a provisional constitutional order decreed by Musharraf. Chaundry’s replacement is another supreme court justice who is a supporter of Musharraf and lead the investigation allegations against Chaundry earlier this year.

The BBC reports that President General Musharraf will address the nation later today and that the state of emergency was imposed because of “interference of the judiciary” and mounting terrorist attacks.

BREAKING: MARTIAL LAW DECLARED IN PAKISTAN

CNN International is reporting that President General Pervez Musharraf has declared a state of emergency. Troops have seized the Supreme Court building and surrounded the homes of the justices. This follows Bhutto’s recent departure to visit her family in Dubai. The constitution has been suspended and the parliamentary elections are in doubt.