Pakistan - Emergency Declared

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has declared state of emergency, a state television reported.

Musharraf's declaration on Saturday came ahead of the Supreme Court decision on legitimacy of his election victory. He was heavily criticized for running in the elections without giving up his position as head of the military.

The announcement gave no reason for the emergency but speculations persisted that Musharraf may move against current political turmoil rocking his administration as well as the rising Islamic militancy in areas near the Afghan border.

Seen as an act to humiliate the government, armed followers of a militant cleric have recently shown to the media 48 members of Pakistani forces in their custody.

Prisoners, garbed in civilian clothes, claimed insufficient firepower forced them to surrender to the militants.

The armed men were supporters of Maulana Fazllulah who has strong ties with the Taliban and al-Qaeda. Authorities have accused Fazllulah of airing messages from a radio station to attack Pakistani security forces.

Government troops are trying to regain control of Swat where Fazllulah attempted to imposed Taliban-rule.

Military reports said at least 70 rebels were killed in the clashes but the number of casualties has been disputed by Fazllulah's followers.

Via AHN