Musharraf declares state of emergency

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:05:54

President Pervez Musharraf

Musharraf has declared a state of emergency in Pakistan ahead of Supreme Court decision on whether to overturn his recent election win.

Pakistani military ruler President Pervez Musharraf, who awaited a Supreme Court decision that could have overturned his victory in an October 6 presidential election, declared a state of emergency on Saturday.

Dozens of police blocked the road in front of the Supreme Court building in Islamabad where judges were believed to be inside.

The state TV report gave no reason for the emergency but it follows weeks of speculation that he could take the step, amid rising political turmoil and militant violence.

The government blocked transmissions of private news channels in the capital and other cities.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the official result of the October presidential election, in which Musharraf won another five-year term, cannot be declared until it rules whether the vote was legal.

SB/RA