TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Musharraf Lifts State Of Emergency In Pakistan

ADVERTISEMENT

By CARLOTTA GALL, The New York Times

Published: December 16, 2007

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - President Pervez Musharraf lifted the 6-week old state of emergency and restored the constitution on Saturday, after passing a flurry of constitutional amendments and decrees to ensure his recent actions would not be challenged by any court.

In a national address on Pakistan state television, Musharraf said Pakistan had been in extreme danger and imposing the emergency had been "unavoidable." Since then, he said, the situation had improved, armed militants had been pushed back in the northwest of the country, and free and fair elections would be held Jan. 8.

"Today, I am feeling very happy that all the promises that I have made to the people, to the country have been fulfilled," he said.

The removal of the state of emergency restores fundamental rights, such as the right of assembly and freedom of movement, three weeks ahead of parliamentary elections, and it would ensure free and fair elections, said the acting law minister, Afzal Haider.

Musharraf also took the oaths of 14 new Supreme Court judges on Saturday afternoon, permanently replacing the Supreme Court he dismissed Nov. 3.

The lifting of emergency rule will not resolve the tensions in the country, in particular between the judiciary and the president. Musharraf's recent decrees have effectively muzzled the press, curbed the judiciary and made him impregnable before the parliament and the courts.

But, according to a letter sent to news organizations by a group of former ambassadors and foreign secretaries, those decrees have created divisions in society and will further destabilize the country.

Musharraf said in his executive order restoring the constitution that any provision made during emergency rule "shall not be called in question by or before any court."

A second order revoking the proclamation of emergency states that any future presidential order regarding the issue also could not be challenged in any court.

Musharraf also issued six constitutional amendments late Friday night that strengthen his legal position regarding his re-election and his dismissal of the Supreme Court.

Three amendments cleared away restrictions challenging Musharraf's eligibility to run for another term. Another confirmed that the former Supreme Court judges no longer could continue in their jobs, and that the newly installed judges would replace them.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT