November 03, 2007

Pakistan and Martial Law - the CHINESE Version of the "story"

Pakistan PM rejects reports on martial law, emergency


www.chinaview.cn 2007-11-03 02:28:53

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday rejected local media reports that the government was considering options to impose martial law or declare emergency.

Talking to reporters at a meeting with Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) delegation here at the Prime Minister's House, Aziz said, "I do not want to comment on these reports as these are all speculations. The media should avoid such speculations as they lead to uncertainty."

In view of the ongoing petitions challenging President Pervez Musharraf's candidacy in the Supreme Court, local media recently reported that the government was considering imposing martial law or declaring a state of emergency in the country if the Supreme Court issued a verdict against Musharraf.

Some media reported that the government was trying to pressurize the Supreme Court by threatening to impose martial law.

Aziz said that the reports were not based on any credible information and urged the media not to create more uncertainties on the situation.

An 11-member bench of the Supreme Court hearing Musharraf's reelection case announced on Friday that it would issue a verdict in line with the constitution and law regardless of threats from any party or group.

The Associated Press of Pakistan reported that the Supreme Court decided to resume hearing arguments from the Attorney General Malik Muhammad Qayyum next Monday and then it would again adjourn the case till Nov. 12.

Two presidential candidates, former Supreme Court Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, and Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) chief Makhdoom Amin Fahim had challenged the candidacy of Musharraf to contest the presidential election and had prayed to the court to stay the election.

On the eve of the presidential election, the supreme court allowed the holding of the presidential election as scheduled but barred the Election Commission from announcing official notification of the results till a final disposal of the petitions.

According to the official APP news agency, the Pakistani parliament gave Musharraf another term as president by a clear majority on Oct. 6.

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