Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in a bid to end an eight-month crisis over his rule stoked by challenges from a hostile judiciary, Islamist militants and political rivals.
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf suspended Pakistan's constitution and deployed troops in the capital Saturday, declaring that rising Islamic extremism had forced him to take emergency measures. He also replaced the chief justice and blacked out the independent media that refused to support him.
The Bush administration said it was deeply disturbed by the state of emergency in Pakistan and urged a swift return to a democratic and civilian government. The Pentagon said Gen. Pervez Musharraf's declaration does not affect U.S. military support of Pakistan, however.
Pakistan was under emergency rule Sunday as President Pervez Musharraf moved to tighten his flagging grip on power, sacking the nation's top judge and suspending the constitution.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto described a "wave of disappointment" Saturday after President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan and suspended the country's constitution.
The Bush administration said Saturday it was deeply disturbed by the state of emergency in Pakistan and urged a swift return to a democratic and civilian government. The Pentagon said Gen. Pervez Musharraf's declaration does not impact U.S. military support of Pakistan, however.
Gen. Pervez Musharraf suspended Pakistan's constitution and deployed troops in the capital on Saturday, declaring that rising Islamic extremism had forced him to take emergency measures that included replacing the nation's chief judge and blacking out the independent media that refused to support him.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto described a "wave of disappointment" Saturday and called President Pervez Musharraf a "military dictator" after he declared a state of emergency in Pakistan and suspended its constitution.
The Bush administration said Saturday it was deeply disturbed by the state of emergency in Pakistan and urged a swift return to a democratic and civilian government. The Pentagon said Gen. Pervez Musharraf's declaration does not affect U.S. military support of Pakistan, however.
Indian officials watched warily across their heavily militarized border Saturday night after Pakistan's military ruler declared a state of emergency, with New Delhi urging a return to democracy but carefully avoiding criticism of embattled Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.