Top opposition leaders held in Pakistan

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities arrested a top leader of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party and several other opposition figures on Sunday in a countrywide crackdown after President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule.

"Musharraf's days are numbered. The time has come to end the political role of the army," Javed Hashmi, acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), told reporters before being whisked away by police in the central city of Multan.

Tariq Mehmood, a leading anti-Musharraf lawyer, said most lawyers opposed to the military ruler were under house arrest or detained.

In Karachi, police chief Azhar Ali Farooqi spelled out the uncompromising stand that has been ordered.

"Our soft policy is over now. We have zero tolerance. We will take action, arrest and use force if necessary," Farooqi said, as attention turned to what Pakistan's most potent opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, might do next.

Bhutto, who ended eight years of self-imposed exile last month with Musharraf's blessing, returned to Karachi on Saturday evening after a short trip to Dubai and took a strong stand against what she called a "mini-martial" law.

But the litmus test will be whether she calls for street protests or seeks to persuade Musharraf to reverse his decision.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the leader of an alliance of Islamist opposition parties and fierce Musharraf critic, planned to address a public meeting outside the eastern city of Lahore later on Sunday.

Mr Musharraf did the right thing, he has to take these people by force. They have destroyed our country with their greed for the chair. I'm with the president and I'm proud of him.
Kashar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 16:48

It's not tolerable as it's a totally brutal decision against the wishes (democracy) of the Pakistan people and the well-wishers of Pakistan.
Thomas
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 16:08

Martial law is not justified under such circumstances because all of this has happened due to Musharraf's policies, absolute power corrupts and he has become a tyrant now.
Mohammad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 15:10

General Musharraf you will pay hard for killing innocent Pakistanis and destroying the political system of Pakistan. One day you will repent on your acts but it will be too late.
Saeed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 14:56

Well done Pakistan's army. You have conquered Pakistan again.
Asim
Lahore,Pakistan
Posted: November 04, 2007, 14:44

Mr. Dictator/Pervez Musharraf, you are chief of the army of Pakistan, but scared from the decision of the supreme court. If the chief is unable to face opponents than what about the rest? Be brave and remove the state of emergency from Pakistan. Being a man of principle, wait the result from the court, that will be most probably against you. Go Musharraf go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Imran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 14:39

By imposing Marshal Law in Pakistan president Musharraf now proved that he is the staunch follower of President Bush who never accepted the world?s demands to withdraw troops from Iraq. It is ironic that they are acting like the advocates of democracy but their actions proved that they are the unbeatable dictators of this world.
Thayyib
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 14:37

These are the policies of USA and it had to happen one day. Musharraf has no other choice but to do what USA instructs him to.
Juma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 14:14

Excellent step taken by President Musharraf. The total turnover of voters during voting is never more than 50% out of which 40% are illiterate. This is a so called democratic country. So its better if Musharraf stays as president and saves the country. He knows what he is doing and will prove that his decision was right to the whole world.
Rehan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 13:40

This is a deliberate attack on the judiciary, planned and agreed by the all upper class forces of Pakistan, all those who deal with politics are involved in it. Musharraf just executed their whims and wishes. Don't forget soon they all will meet their fate.
Azeem
Rawal Pindi,Pakistan
Posted: November 04, 2007, 13:24

I am totally opposed to this absolutely unnecessary martial law. This has plunged Pakistan into a state of chaos. Pakistan is standing on the edge of collapse. The president wants to keep hold of his presidency. All this is a smoke screen.
Imran
Manchester,UK
Posted: November 04, 2007, 13:23

Musharraf seems to have completely lost sense of reality and seems to be trying to create havoc in Pakistan so that he can cling on to power a little longer. His 'address' to the nation yesterday was nothing more than the moaning session of a very bad loser! How dare he (ab)use his powers to destroy Pakistan?
Ahmed
London,UK
Posted: November 04, 2007, 13:21

Well done Mr. President. We have had enough of democracy.
Hassan
Ajman,UAE
Posted: November 04, 2007, 12:03