4 charged with treason in Pakistan

Karachi: Three politicians and a union activist were charged with treason for making anti-government speeches in the southern port city of Karachi, a court official said Thursday.

The men were the first to be reported charged with treason since President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Saturday and suspended Pakistan's constitution.

The four were arrested Monday and were interrogated by police before being formally charged Wednesday, said a court official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

If convicted, the charge carries a maximum sentence of death.