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Musharraf imposes emergency rule Musharraf imposes emergency rule
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has declared emergency rule and suspended the country's constitution.Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has declared emergency rule and suspended the country's constitution.
Troops have been deployed inside state-run TV and radio stations, while independent channels have gone off air. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has been replaced and the Supreme Court surrounded by troops, who also entered state-run TV and radio stations.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who condemned the moves, has been replaced and is being confined to the Supreme Court with 10 other judges. Gen Musharraf defended his actions in a national address, saying he was curbing a rise in extremism in Pakistan.
It comes as the court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's re-election victory in October. The moves come as the Supreme Court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's October election victory.
The court was to decide whether Gen Musharraf was eligible to run for election last month while remaining army chief. The court was to decide whether Gen Musharraf was eligible to run for re-election last month while remaining army chief.
The BBC's Barbara Plett reports from Islamabad that fears have been growing in the government that the Supreme Court ruling could go against Gen Musharraf.The BBC's Barbara Plett reports from Islamabad that fears have been growing in the government that the Supreme Court ruling could go against Gen Musharraf.
Profile: Pervez Musharraf Reaction in quotesProfile: Pervez Musharraf Reaction in quotes
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who recently returned to the country after years of self-exile to lead her party in planned parliamentary elections, was in Dubai on a personal visit when news of the declaration broke.Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who recently returned to the country after years of self-exile to lead her party in planned parliamentary elections, was in Dubai on a personal visit when news of the declaration broke.
However, she immediately flew back to Karachi in response.However, she immediately flew back to Karachi in response.
Her return from self-imposed exile last month came about with the co-operation of Gen Musharraf.Her return from self-imposed exile last month came about with the co-operation of Gen Musharraf.
Our correspondent says that in the changed circumstances she will have to decide whether she is returning to lead the opposition against the president, or should wait on the sidelines in the hopes of securing an agreement with him.Our correspondent says that in the changed circumstances she will have to decide whether she is returning to lead the opposition against the president, or should wait on the sidelines in the hopes of securing an agreement with him.
'Grave threat''Grave threat'
Pakistan's cabinet is currently meeting to approve Gen Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule. He is expected to address the nation later.
Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, and the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, and the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".
In pictures: Emergency rule Declaration: Full text The text of the declaration of emergency says that Gen Musharraf has invoked emergency rule because of mounting militant attacks and interference by members of the judiciary.In pictures: Emergency rule Declaration: Full text The text of the declaration of emergency says that Gen Musharraf has invoked emergency rule because of mounting militant attacks and interference by members of the judiciary.
It opens with a reference to the "grave threat" posed by the "visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings".It opens with a reference to the "grave threat" posed by the "visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings".
It ends by saying that the constitution is in "abeyance" - which, according to our correspondent, in effect means that martial law has been imposed, although there is not a heavy security presence on the streets.It ends by saying that the constitution is in "abeyance" - which, according to our correspondent, in effect means that martial law has been imposed, although there is not a heavy security presence on the streets.
The political and judicial core of Islamabad has been shut down, but the rest of the city is functioning normally, our correspondent says.The political and judicial core of Islamabad has been shut down, but the rest of the city is functioning normally, our correspondent says.
New chief justiceNew chief justice
She says that it is clear from reading the emergency proclamation the main target is the judiciary which is accused of interfering in government policy and weakening the struggle against terrorism.She says that it is clear from reading the emergency proclamation the main target is the judiciary which is accused of interfering in government policy and weakening the struggle against terrorism.
Chief Justice Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the emergency order, declaring it unconstitutional, resulting in Mr Chaudhry's dismissal.Chief Justice Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the emergency order, declaring it unconstitutional, resulting in Mr Chaudhry's dismissal.
A new chief justice has now been appointed, officials say. He is Supreme Court judge Abdul Hameed Dogar, a supporter of Gen Musharraf who was a member of the special tribunal appointed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Mr Chaudhry.A new chief justice has now been appointed, officials say. He is Supreme Court judge Abdul Hameed Dogar, a supporter of Gen Musharraf who was a member of the special tribunal appointed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Mr Chaudhry.
BBC correspondents say international reaction to Gen Musharraf's move will depend on what he says in an address he is expected to make to the nation shortly.
The key issue will be whether parliamentary elections are to be held - if not he can expect huge street demonstrations by his opponents.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking to CNN, has described the declaration of emergency rule as "highly regrettable" and called upon Pakistan to have free and fair elections.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking to CNN, has described the declaration of emergency rule as "highly regrettable" and called upon Pakistan to have free and fair elections.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband also expressed concern, saying it was vital Pakistan's government "abides by the commitment to hold free and fair elections on schedule".UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband also expressed concern, saying it was vital Pakistan's government "abides by the commitment to hold free and fair elections on schedule".
Parliamentary elections are due in January - it is not clear whether they will go ahead. Parliamentary elections are due in January - it is not clear whether they will go ahead. Gen Musharraf made no mention of them in his speech.