Seven-day restraint order served on Bhutto

Islamabad: Pakistan police have issued a seven-day restraint order to stop Benazir Bhutto from leading a protest procession against emergency rule in the country on Tuesday, officials said.

According to the order, she must remain at the home of a party member in Lahore, where she is residing ahead of a planned march to the capital Islamabad later in the day.

Earlier on Monday, Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said the procession would not be allowed as it would violate a ban on political rallies imposed under the current state of emergency. "All processions, rallies, political gatherings at present are outlawed."

Bhutto ruled out any more power-sharing talks with Musharraf and said she was considering a boycott of upcoming polls. "We are saying no to any more talks. It is a change from my past policy."

In London, Commonwealth ministers held talks on imposing sanctions on Pakistan over its declaration of emergency rule, with a senior figure warning the country could be suspended from the 53-nation group.

The Commonwealth threatened to suspend Pakistan unless President Pervez Musharraf repealed emergency laws and took other rapid steps to address his country's problems.

The 53-member body, consisting mainly of former British colonies, made the threat at a meeting in London, saying Musharraf must act by November 22 to avoid suspension.

The Commonwealth acted as confrontation loomed in Pakistan over a planned protest on Tuesday banned by the authorities but which opposition leader Benazir Bhutto insisted would go ahead.

Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said the procession would not be allowed as it would violate a ban on political rallies imposed under the current state of emergency. "All processions, rallies, political gatherings at present are outlawed," Tariq Azim said.

Former premier Bhutto was due to leave Lahore this morning for Islamabad. The journey was expected to take about three days, and her party said thousands of supporters were expected to join her en route.

She ruled out any more power-sharing talks with Musharraf and said she was considering a boycott of upcoming polls. "We are saying no to any more talks. It is a change from my past policy."

Musharraf set off a storm of criticism when he imposed emergency rule on November 3. He suspended the constitution, sacked most judges, locked up lawyers, rounded up thousands of opposition and rights activists and curbed the media.

The crisis in the nuclear-armed country has raised fears about its stability and its focus on battling Islamist militants.