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GUESTS: Hamid Khan, Executive Director of the South Asian Network; Syed Bokhari, Protest Organzier

General Pervez Musharraf announced a new timetable for parliamentary elections yesterday, as Pakistan’s state of emergency continues. Addressing his National Security Council, Musharraf declared that he would resign as army chief before starting his third term as president. He also stated that elections would take place in Mid-February, but failed to specify a date. Musharraf made no mention of when the state of emergency he imposed a week ago would be lifted. Musharraf claimed emergency rule was needed to stabilize the nation against extremism and terrorism – but critics contend that the move was really aimed at undermining the Supreme Court, which was set to rule on the Musharraf’s legitimacy as president. Since last Saturday, the state of emergency declaration has allowed the Pakistani General to dissolve the constitution, fire Supreme Court judges, and crack down on political dissent. Thousands of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s supporters were arrested to stop today’s planned political rally in Rawalpindi. Police sealed off the city as Bhutto herself was placed under house arrest. Locally, concerned activists plan to demonstrate outside the Pakistan Consulate in Los Angeles today. They will be demanding, among other things, the release of all persons detained during the state of emergency.

Protest at the Pakistan Consulate:
Friday, November 9th
2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
10850 Wilshire Blvd
For more information, call 562-230-4578 or 310-918-4427