President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Saturday ahead of a crucial Supreme Court decision on whether to overturn his recent election win and amid rising Islamic militant violence.
The government blocked transmissions of private news channels in several cities and telephone services in the capital, Islamabad, were cut. Dozens of police blocked the road in front of the Supreme Court building where judges were believed to be inside.
"The chief of army staff has proclaimed a state of emergency and issued a provisional constitutional order," a newscaster on Pakistan TV said, adding that he would address the nation later Saturday.
Hopefully, this is related to fighting the jihadis whose emotional appeal could crumble the pillars of state security if not beaten. If so, then we simply have a different risk we are running from the old risk of doing too little while the jihadis expanded their appeal. But at least the state of emergency could end with the jihadis beaten down.
If this is directed at democratic opposition, then the jihadi appeal will only grow stronger as an alternative to military rule. This alternative will be worse for Pakistanis in the long run, but in the short run this will draw many people desperate for something different.
So we'll have to wait and see how this plays out.
And let's see if the loyal opposition welcomes this Realpolitik move to strengthen a friendly despot or see it as just another opportunity to bash the Bush administration.
UPDATE: Musharraf says this move is to fight Islamists:
In his televised address late Saturday, Musharraf, looking somber and composed, said Pakistan was at a "dangerous" juncture, and that its government was threatened by Islamic extremists who were "imposing their obsolete ideas on moderates."
But this doesn't look like a crackdown on Islamists:
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the extraordinary measures would remain in place "as long as it is necessary." He also said parliamentary elections could be postponed up to a year, but no such decision had been made.
Aziz also said that up to 500 opposition activists had been arrested in the last 24 hours.
The problem with the lack of democracy and the plentiful corrupition in Pakistan is that Islamists have been able to pose as brave opponents of autocracy and corruption.
So instead of fighting for the allegiance of the people who look for somebody to correct the corruption and autocracy, Musharraf is attacking the people. This will drive more people to choose the Islamists over the military-backed government.
It is early. Perhaps Musharraf is securing his rear area before moving against the Islamists.
Or perhaps this is just screwing up Pakistan even more.
Did I mention that Pakistan has nukes?
