Pakistan forbids protests in capital
The government wants to quell unrest over the president's suspension of the chief justice.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The government yesterday banned demonstrations in Pakistan's capital, the latest effort to quell mounting political turmoil over President Pervez Musharraf's decision to suspend the chief justice.
Thousands of Pakistanis have joined protests since the March 9 ouster of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, accusing Musharraf of trying to sideline the independent-minded judge before elections this year. Riots erupted last month when authorities stopped Chaudhry from leading a demonstration in the city of Karachi, leaving more than 40 people dead.
Musharraf, facing his deepest political crisis since taking power in a 1999 coup, emerged from a meeting with top military officers yesterday with a strong affirmation of their support.
The military denounced a "malicious campaign" against the government "by vested interests and opportunists who were acting as obstructionist forces to serve their personal interests and agenda even at the cost of flouting the rule of law." It said Musharraf assured the military that no one would be able to destabilize Pakistan.
'To ensure peace'
The two-month ban forces people to seek permission before organizing any political gathering of more than five people. The announcement came a day before Chaudhry planned to lead a procession from Islamabad to the city of Abbotabad.
"We have imposed a ban on rallies in Islamabad," said Mohammed Ali, Islamabad's deputy chief of administration. "A notification about it has been issued, and this step has been taken to ensure peace and avoid any inconvenience to the general public."
But Ali said there were no immediate plans to stop Chaudhry's procession, and a lawyer for Chaudhry said it would go forward.
A key backer
"God willing, we will go to Abbotabad with the chief justice on Saturday, and we have no plan to apply for any permission," Aitzaz Ahsan said.
Although Musharraf's political opponents have challenged his rule, there is no sign that he has lost the support of his key international backer - the United States. Washington considers Musharraf a crucial ally in the fight against terrorism.
Talat Masood, a political analyst and retired Pakistani general, said yesterday's military statement was an attempt to counter perceptions at home and internationally that Musharraf's position was weakening.
"President Musharraf is saying to the nation that 'I am not alone,' " Masood said. "I think he also wants to tell the world, 'Do not get concerned - there's a lot of support for me in the army.' "