Pakistan rounds up civil rights activists
Hundreds of civil rights activists have been detained in Pakistan along with members of the parliament’s opposition, following General Perves Musharraf’s declaration of a state of emergency in Pakistan. Musharraf cited Islamic extremism and judicial interference for his action, saying terrorism was at a height. He also accused the Supreme Court of hamstringing the government. He has been at loggerheads for months with the court, which was due to rule shortly on the legality of his victory in an October 6 election. However, the general has suspended the country’s constitution and issued a Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), which several judges have refused to take swear allegiance to. The Wire spoke with Abdul Khaliq, a member of the Labor Party of Pakistan and journalist based in Lahore. He said that in that city alone hundreds of activists have been arrested.