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UPDATE 1: Please read Michelle Malkin’s: The train wreck in Pakistan
Much ado about this:
The Pakistani leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, declared a state of emergency about 6 p.m. local time today, Pakistani television reported.
All members of the Supreme Court will be required to sign a new provisional constitutional order mandating the state of emergency. It is widely believed that any judge failing to do so will be dismissed.
The declaration came days before the Supreme Court was expected to rule on the constitutionality of General Musharraf’s re-election as president last month and of his ability to serve as both the country’s president and military leader…
A Pakistani intelligence official said that a list had been prepared of prominent Pakistani journalists and opposition politicians who would be detained.
Allahpundit is calling this a coup.
The war on terror is a complicated web. You get things simmering on one side of the stove and something starts boiling over on the other side. It will be interesting to see the White House reaction. Between Iraq, escalations in Iran, and developments like this, it is difficult to say the best course of action. Of course, we still have adequate time to keep Iran on the sanction leash, and the news from Iraq has been progressively better. Hopefully, this can be tamed down, though I’m not sure. There are plenty of reasons to be of concern on this.
Musharraf must have sniffed out a not too favorable decision and pulled the trigger. This is not good from several standpoints. First there is the critical need we have a for a strong ally in Turkey, but that relationship Musharraf has always been tenuous with him walking the line between pleasing us and keeping the more radical elements happy at home. Remember that in 2006 he wrote in his book that we had “twisted his arm” into cooperation with us.
A declaration of emergency means the upcoming parliamentary elections will not take place as scheduled in January. That will almost certainly split Bhutto from Musharraf, and it will mean that Musharraf will have to rely on his power base with the Army. That may not hold firm in a protracted fight against Islamist rebels, as the military’s morale has already been questioned. It’s a dangerous situation, and the declaration makes it even more so.
Via Weasel Zippers: Taliban rule?
Islamabad - Pakistan is considering enforcement of Islamic laws in Pakistan’s north-western Swat valley to meet the demands of pro-Taliban militants who briefly seized and then released around 100 security personnel after nine days’ fierce fighting that left more than 200 people dead. “The government is considering the implementation of Sharia law in the view of the demands of the local people,” said Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, governor of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in which the valley is situated.
“We are trying to resolve the issue through negotiations but if required force will also be used,” the DawnNews channel cited him as saying.
The statement came as the Islamic militants said they had released 120 soldiers captured after the clashes in Swat, some 160 kilometres from the NWFP capital Peshawar.
“They have gone to their home towns and they have promised not to work with the security forces in the future,” the militants’ spokesman Maulana Sirajuddin told reporters.
The Astute Blogger: WW4?
MVDG:
The US asked Musharraf not to hold on to power by all means necessary. Instead general seems to have decided to ignore the wishes of the US, the international community and the Pakistani people and to do just that. It will embolden terrorists, it will weaken Musharraf, it will… create chaos in a country that has nuclear weapons. This is a potentially very dangerous situation.
Take care, America. Be careful, Americans. Watch what Musharraf does. You may be looking into the mirror at your future.
More reaction at memeorandum
November 3, 2007 - 08:20 PM on November 3rd, 2007
A look at the history of Middle East makes it clear — corrupt military governments that deny their people legitimate means of self-determination give rise to armed, radical Islamist uprisings,which are seen as popular reformers by a public demanding an end to corruption and state violence and repression. That’s what led to the Taleban uprising against the corrupt warlords of Afghanistan, and the Iranian revolution against the U.S. supported Shah of Iran.
If Pakistan’s Supreme Court decided that Musharraf could not legally run for office, all hell would not break loose. Rather, one of Pakistan’s two prior leaders would be elected to office. The one prior to Musharraf’s coup was actually a legitimately elected leader who wasn’t transparently stealing from the state, like Bhutto did.
It’s time that U.S. foriegn policy started thinking about what’s best for the people of Pakistan and their longterm democratic government, as opposed to maintaining a dysfunctional alliance with a dictator. Isn’t that how we got into a mess with Saddam in the first place?
In response to Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of martial law and illegal dismissal of a Pakistani Supreme Court Justice, I am encouraging all bloggers out there who want true democratic rule for Pakistan’s 165 million people to unite in opposition.
From now on, I am asking bloggers to consistantly refer to Musharraf as “Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf” consistantly linking back to a post I made explaining this idea in greater detail.
The post allows threaded comments, so that those opposed to Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf can start discussing ways that we can organize and unite in opposition to his dictatorial actions.
My hope is that a consistant message of opposition to martial law and support for democracy in Pakistan can help to influence the media away from legitimizing the Musharraf regime by referring to him as a President. By definition, he cannot be a President if he refuses the right for his government’s Supreme Court to decide whether his running for office is legal or not.
Please drop by the post, leave a comment as to what ideas you have on how we can best unite in opposition to martial law, and please do consider using the phrase “Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf”, linking back to the post.
Thank you,
Mark Kraft
November 4, 2007 - 11:04 AM on November 4th, 2007
Not good.
Hope someone has an eye on those nukes.
November 4, 2007 - 01:35 PM on November 4th, 2007
Hope some keeps a eye on those liberal wackos
November 4, 2007 - 05:28 PM on November 4th, 2007
There is at least one short term advantage to Musharraf declaring martial law, it will give him the ability to go into the tribal lands of Waziristan with as much military force as necessary to drive out Al Quaeda, or at least drive them out into the open where the Pakistani or US Military can engage and destroy them. If Musharraf were really savvy, He’d install Bhutto as at least a figure head until he has dealt with the Islamofascist terrorists. Let her run small day to day governmental operations while he maintains control over the Army and goes after the terrorists. She should be VERY amenable to this as she would not fair well if the Islamofascists come to power, and can expect to continue to be the target of their attacks. This also allows Musharraf to ask the US for military assistance in dealing with the terror training camps in Pakistan.
As for Musharraf and Bhutto being corrupt, what do you expect? They’re third world governmental officials. Not to say that ALL third world governmental officials are petty and corrupt, but the odds of finding one that isn’t are pretty damn long. Sort of like the odds of the Miami Dolphins winning the Super Bowl this year. They aren’t mathematically eliminated, but only because there is over half of the season left to play.
November 4, 2007 - 05:30 PM on November 4th, 2007
There is also one very positive long term effect. Once Musharraf cleans out the Al Queada nests in the tribal regions, the US can send in aid and start building a relationship with the tribesmen that will make it harder for Al Quaeda to regain a foot hold there. Much like they have done in Al Anbar and other provinces in Iraq.
November 4, 2007 - 10:40 PM on November 4th, 2007
The fact that not only does the U.S. need Musharref as an ally but the nukes cannot be allowed to be compromised overrides all concerns. Mark, you and your folks are picking a very odd time to suddenly rise up for Pakistani democracy. Aren’t there other nations you could pick to focus your efforts on?
How about helping the people of Mexico throw off their shackles? Then maybe they wouldn’t have top come here. Yeah, that’s a great project for you…
November 6, 2007 - 05:28 AM on November 6th, 2007
3- “Hope some keeps a eye on those liberal wackos”
Yes, democracy and free elections only make sense if it is guaranteed that the right people win…
November 7, 2007 - 12:14 PM on November 7th, 2007
Musharraf: Three Steps ahead of Bush in the Dictatorship Race
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_tumerica_071106_musharraf_3a_three_ste.htm
November 7, 2007 - 01:48 PM on November 7th, 2007
Uh, my name is Michael, and I am a hit-and-run troll pasting propaganda links in topics on right-wing sites.
They don’t pay me much for this; yeah I know, Soros can certainly afford more, LOL!
But since I live in the basement of my parent’s home it’s okay.
November 7, 2007 - 03:08 PM on November 7th, 2007
8- Michael- you simply misunderstand the whole situation… The boys are “Freedomators”!!!