Musharraf gropes for way out of Pakistan's crisis (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Musharraf gropes for way out of Pakistan's crisis

By Simon Cameron-Moore

Mon Mar 19, 1:49 AM ET

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - President Pervez Musharraf, scotching rumors
of a coup six months ago, told Pakistanis their country was not a
"banana republic, where such things happen suddenly."

Filled with trepidation over a deepening political crisis, people could
do with a similar reassurance now, but this time Musharraf's crisis
is real and appears self-induced.

A ham-fisted attempt to sack Pakistan's top judge, and the use of
excessive force to cow the media and counter protests has created
the greatest challenge to Musharraf's authority over the Muslim
country since he seized power in a coup 7 years ago.

Things got so bad over the weekend that Musharraf said there was
a conspiracy to turn people against him, and the United States,
worried by instability in an allied country next door to Afghanistan
and Iran, called for cool heads to prevail.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070319/wl_nm/pakistan_scenarios_dc

[maddezmom]

1. Six lower court judges quit to protest Pak CJ's suspension

Six lower court judges quit to protest Pak CJ's suspension


K J M VARMA
ISLAMABAD, MAR 19 (PTI)

The crisis in Pakistan judiciary over suspension of the Chief Justice snowballed today with six lower court judges resigning from their posts but President Pervez Musharraf expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved after Rana Bhagwandas returns and takes over as the Acting Chief Justice.

Six civil judges and magistrates submitted their resignation in Sindh province to protest the government action against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, officials of the Sindh Bar Council said.

Mahmood-ul Hasan, a council member and former President of the Karachi Bar Association said the judges had sent their resignations to their respective district judges who would forward it the provincial Chief Justice.

"They will continue to function until their resignations are accepted by the Chief Justice," Hasan said.

more:http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=458966