Musharraf imposes emergency rule

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7076670.stm

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has declared emergency rule and suspended the country's constitution.

Troops have been deployed inside state-run TV and radio stations, while independent channels have gone off air.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who condemned the moves, has been replaced and is being confined to the Supreme Court with 10 other judges.

It comes as the court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's re-election victory in October.

The court was to decide whether Gen Musharraf was eligible to run for election last month while remaining army chief.

The BBC's Barbara Plett reports from Islamabad that fears have been growing in the government that the Supreme Court ruling could go against Gen Musharraf.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking to CNN, has described the declaration of emergency rule as "highly regrettable" and called upon Pakistan to have free and fair elections.