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Pakistan tension ahead of rallies Pakistan tension ahead of rallies
(about 2 hours later)
Security forces in Pakistan are on alert ahead of expected anti-government protests.Security forces in Pakistan are on alert ahead of expected anti-government protests.
Scores of activists have been held in Punjab province ahead of protests over the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, the opposition says.Scores of activists have been held in Punjab province ahead of protests over the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, the opposition says.
Rallies are also expected in the capital, Islamabad.Rallies are also expected in the capital, Islamabad.
Analysts say the recent campaign of protests represents the most serious challenge to President Pervez Musharraf since he seized power in 1999.Analysts say the recent campaign of protests represents the most serious challenge to President Pervez Musharraf since he seized power in 1999.
Pakistani government lawyers have submitted three separate replies to Mr Chaudhry's affidavit in the Supreme Court that he was "illegally detained" by the country's secret police. The latest protests came as the government said it was suspending sweeping new curbs on the media.
The lawyers submitted their counter affidavits on behalf of Gen Musharraf's chief of staff and the heads of the country's intelligence agencies. The president ordered the restrictions on Monday after the media broadcast criticism of his suspension of the chief justice.
According to Mr Chaudhry's affidavit, a copy of which the BBC has seen, the heads of three Pakistani intelligence services spent five hours putting pressure on him to resign. The new rules had led to protests by hundreds of journalists and opposition activists in the capital.
General Musharraf suspended the judge in March for alleged misconduct, an act Mr Chaudhry's supporters say was an attempt to suppress a free judiciary. 'Crackdown'
On Monday Gen Musharraf introduced new controls on the media, which he has strongly criticised in recent weeks for their coverage of opposition protests.
The new rules had led to protests by hundreds of journalists and opposition activists in the capital, Islamabad.
Media ordinance
The interior ministry has confirmed a number of opposition activists had been detained.The interior ministry has confirmed a number of opposition activists had been detained.
"Some arrests have been made in Punjab where the government feels they were necessary to maintain law and order," the ministry's spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told reporters."Some arrests have been made in Punjab where the government feels they were necessary to maintain law and order," the ministry's spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told reporters.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, of the Pakistan People's Party, which is planning Thursday's rallies, said it was a "massive crackdown".Shah Mehmood Qureshi, of the Pakistan People's Party, which is planning Thursday's rallies, said it was a "massive crackdown".
Opposition to Gen Musharraf is focusing around Mr ChaudhryOpposition to Gen Musharraf is focusing around Mr Chaudhry
He said: "The dictatorship is now showing its real face but we'll not back down, we will fight."He said: "The dictatorship is now showing its real face but we'll not back down, we will fight."
Gen Musharraf said he suspended Mr Chaudhry because the chief justice was guilty of misuse of office.Gen Musharraf said he suspended Mr Chaudhry because the chief justice was guilty of misuse of office.
Judge Chaudhry's supporters said Gen Musharraf was trying to muzzle the independence of the judiciary in an election year.Judge Chaudhry's supporters said Gen Musharraf was trying to muzzle the independence of the judiciary in an election year.
Most of Pakistan's legal community came out in open support of the judge. They were soon joined by Pakistan's religious and secular opposition parties.Most of Pakistan's legal community came out in open support of the judge. They were soon joined by Pakistan's religious and secular opposition parties.
Many of their protests have resulted in bloodshed. Many of their protests have resulted in bloodshed. The controversial new media controls aimed to tighten the rules on electronic broadcasting.
The new media controls tighten the rules on electronic broadcasting. The ordinance, which the government says is now being reviewed, would allow the government to seal the offices of broadcasters breaking the regulations.
The ordinance allows the government to seal the offices of broadcasters breaking the regulations. Court action
Meanwhile, Pakistani government lawyers have submitted three separate replies to Mr Chaudhry's affidavit in the Supreme Court that he was "illegally detained" by the country's secret police. The lawyers submitted their counter affidavits on behalf of Gen Musharraf's chief of staff and the heads of the country's intelligence agencies.
According to Mr Chaudhry's affidavit, a copy of which the BBC has seen, the heads of three Pakistani intelligence services spent five hours putting pressure on him to resign.