November 3: Ten years to Gen (retd) Musharraf's emergency declaration
Ten years later, the country still stands with a deposed PM still questioning his crimes
Musharraf's televised address before declaring emergency
Ten years ago today, on November 3, 2007, General (retd) Pervez Musharraf imposed an emergency in the country, and the history of Pakistan changed indefinitely.
While fear and chaos spread in the nation like wildfire, Musharraf’s emergency had various reasons attached to it. On this date in 2007, the former chief of army staff (COAS) and ex-president suspended the Constitution, had 60 judges arrested for not taking a new oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order, and imposed a ban on news channels and political gatherings in the country.
Hours before the former president declared an emergency, he was quoted as saying, “I fear that if timely action is not taken, then God forbid there is a threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty,” in a midnight televised address. This quote came after the Supreme Court of Pakistan was purged and lawyers who opposed him were rounded up. “I cannot allow this country to commit suicide,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya86zLFxHrs
The Supreme Court verdict
Musharraf had been awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election while still in the position of army chief. He had promised to quit as army chief if he was given a second term. However, the events took a different turn after Musharraf suspended the then Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, resulting in a swift decline in his popularity with the masses.
Two days before the court’s final ruling, Musharraf took matters into his own hands and after a midnight televised address to the nation, he suspended media outlets and phone lines as part of the 'emergency'. Farzana Shaikh, a Pakistan expert at London’s Chatham House think tank, said the declaration of emergency by Musharraf was “clearly a pre-emptive move on his part” that was designed to act before the Supreme Court issued its ruling.
When Musharraf silenced the media
Closer to the time of Musharraf declaring an emergency, speculation on the probability of it being imposed increased significantly. Many were convinced that Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, would declare an emergency to avoid the risk of the Supreme Court ruling against his re-election as president.
When the constitution was suspended
Musharraf, who also suspended the Constitution, banned the media from publishing anything that defames, ridicules or brings himself, the armed forces, or the government disrepute. The cabinet, national and provincial assemblies were to continue functioning, but that Abdul Hameed Dogar had been appointed as new Chief Justice.
Witnesses said troops were also deployed at local television and radio stations. Most phone lines were down, and private television channels taken off air. Hours before he suspended the Constitution, Musharraf claimed in his televised address that terrorism and extremism had reached soaring levels in the country, and that immediate action was required.
When the US found out
The United States had always shown immense support for the former president, but, today ten years ago, they voiced their concern upon Musharraf's rather impulsive action. They called the measure “very disappointing”. Musharraf’s announcement effectively extinguished US hopes that parliamentary elections due in January would mark a transition to civilian-led democracy.
SC terms November 3 emergency a violation of Constitution
The United States, which regarded Musharraf as a 'crucial ally against al Qaeda in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan', had earlier urged Musharraf to avoid taking authoritarian measures.
“This action is very disappointing,” White House National Security Council spokesperson Gordon Johndroe said. “President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office.”
But Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters the emergency had no immediate impact on US military cooperation. “At this point, the declaration does not impact our military support of Pakistan’s efforts in the war on terror.”
Happening in the background
In Islamabad, armored personnel carriers and military trucks patrolled the streets while roadblocks with metal barriers were set up on the main thoroughfares on November 3.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan’s internal security had deteriorated sharply in the early months of 2007 with a wave of suicide attacks, including an assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in October 2007 that killed 139 people.
Bhutto had flown back to Pakistan today ten years ago, from a brief visit to Dubai and accused Musharraf of imposing a “mini-martial law”. PTI chief Imran Khan was placed under house arrest the next day.
Activisit Asma Jahangir, chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, was also placed under house arrest, as was dismissed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. "Imran Khan has been put under house arrest while (opposition lawyers) Munir A Malik and Aitzaz Ahsan were arrested under a one-month detention order," Imran’s close aide and senior lawyer Hamid Khan said.
Pakistan witnessed a great turning point in history when the geopolitical scenario took a sharp turn after Musharraf’s emergency declaration. The political atmosphere in the country was clouded with confusion and chaos.
Ten years later, the country still stands with a deposed PM still questioning his crimes, a government that is struggling to survive, and the upcoming elections that will be fought till the last breath.
While fear and chaos spread in the nation like wildfire, Musharraf’s emergency had various reasons attached to it. On this date in 2007, the former chief of army staff (COAS) and ex-president suspended the Constitution, had 60 judges arrested for not taking a new oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order, and imposed a ban on news channels and political gatherings in the country.
Hours before the former president declared an emergency, he was quoted as saying, “I fear that if timely action is not taken, then God forbid there is a threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty,” in a midnight televised address. This quote came after the Supreme Court of Pakistan was purged and lawyers who opposed him were rounded up. “I cannot allow this country to commit suicide,” he said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya86zLFxHrs
The Supreme Court verdict
Musharraf had been awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election while still in the position of army chief. He had promised to quit as army chief if he was given a second term. However, the events took a different turn after Musharraf suspended the then Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, resulting in a swift decline in his popularity with the masses.
Two days before the court’s final ruling, Musharraf took matters into his own hands and after a midnight televised address to the nation, he suspended media outlets and phone lines as part of the 'emergency'. Farzana Shaikh, a Pakistan expert at London’s Chatham House think tank, said the declaration of emergency by Musharraf was “clearly a pre-emptive move on his part” that was designed to act before the Supreme Court issued its ruling.
When Musharraf silenced the media
Closer to the time of Musharraf declaring an emergency, speculation on the probability of it being imposed increased significantly. Many were convinced that Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, would declare an emergency to avoid the risk of the Supreme Court ruling against his re-election as president.
When the constitution was suspended
Musharraf, who also suspended the Constitution, banned the media from publishing anything that defames, ridicules or brings himself, the armed forces, or the government disrepute. The cabinet, national and provincial assemblies were to continue functioning, but that Abdul Hameed Dogar had been appointed as new Chief Justice.
Witnesses said troops were also deployed at local television and radio stations. Most phone lines were down, and private television channels taken off air. Hours before he suspended the Constitution, Musharraf claimed in his televised address that terrorism and extremism had reached soaring levels in the country, and that immediate action was required.
When the US found out
The United States had always shown immense support for the former president, but, today ten years ago, they voiced their concern upon Musharraf's rather impulsive action. They called the measure “very disappointing”. Musharraf’s announcement effectively extinguished US hopes that parliamentary elections due in January would mark a transition to civilian-led democracy.
SC terms November 3 emergency a violation of Constitution
The United States, which regarded Musharraf as a 'crucial ally against al Qaeda in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan', had earlier urged Musharraf to avoid taking authoritarian measures.
“This action is very disappointing,” White House National Security Council spokesperson Gordon Johndroe said. “President Musharraf needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office.”
But Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters the emergency had no immediate impact on US military cooperation. “At this point, the declaration does not impact our military support of Pakistan’s efforts in the war on terror.”
Happening in the background
In Islamabad, armored personnel carriers and military trucks patrolled the streets while roadblocks with metal barriers were set up on the main thoroughfares on November 3.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan’s internal security had deteriorated sharply in the early months of 2007 with a wave of suicide attacks, including an assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in October 2007 that killed 139 people.
Bhutto had flown back to Pakistan today ten years ago, from a brief visit to Dubai and accused Musharraf of imposing a “mini-martial law”. PTI chief Imran Khan was placed under house arrest the next day.
Activisit Asma Jahangir, chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, was also placed under house arrest, as was dismissed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. "Imran Khan has been put under house arrest while (opposition lawyers) Munir A Malik and Aitzaz Ahsan were arrested under a one-month detention order," Imran’s close aide and senior lawyer Hamid Khan said.
Pakistan witnessed a great turning point in history when the geopolitical scenario took a sharp turn after Musharraf’s emergency declaration. The political atmosphere in the country was clouded with confusion and chaos.
Ten years later, the country still stands with a deposed PM still questioning his crimes, a government that is struggling to survive, and the upcoming elections that will be fought till the last breath.