Chowrangi

Days of rumors and speculation have finally ended and emergency has been imposed in Pakistan. Declaration of emergency was rumored in August as well and I have discussed about its constitutional implications at that time.

New PCO has been announced to take effect immediately. Under the PCO, Chief Justice of Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has been deposed from his office.

On this occasion, an important meeting of the Supreme Court Bar Association has been held in which it has been decided to strictly resist the imposition of martial law or emergency by the government. It has also been decided in the meeting that any extra-judicial and extra-constitutional action will be strongly defied.

Transmission of private television channels have been terminated in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Web sites of The News, Jang and BBC are responding very slowly as people are turning to the internet for updates.

Earlier, a contingent of 1,500 troops of the Punjab constabulary was called into Islamabad.

The News reports that ban on media and the judiciary has been imposed in the country. This restriction will come into effect from 6:30 pm this evening.

President General Pervez Musharraf is likely to address to the nation tonight in this regard.

Other posts by Kashif Aziz

• Urgently Wanted : Federal Ministers - November 19th, 2008
• GEO TV Transmission blocked in Karachi? - November 17th, 2008
• American meat exporters using fradulent halal certificates - November 14th, 2008
• The case of Khanani and Kalia - November 10th, 2008
• Alcohol Exports Bring $220 Million To Pakistan - November 9th, 2008
• Open Letter of Appreciation to Government of Pakistan - November 5th, 2008
• Earthquake Strikes in Balochistan: More than 250 dead, 20,000 displaced - October 30th, 2008
• Pity the Nation - October 26th, 2008
• Lab Pay Aati Hai Dua .. Ban Kay Tamanna Meri - October 16th, 2008
• Predictions of the Century: The Fate of Sarah Palin, and Asif Ali Zardari and United States of America - October 12th, 2008