Newsvine - US Raps Pakistan Crackdown on Opposition
The United States strongly criticized Pakistan's government Monday, saying it was "extremely disturbed" by a roundup of opposition leaders ahead of key court rulings on the re-election bid by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.
It was an unusual scolding from the country that has counted Musharraf as a key ally against al-Qaida since the Sept. 11 attacks, but his administration brushed off the comments, saying the crackdown is needed to prevent the opposition from fomenting trouble and trying to intimidate the Supreme Court.
"As a very close ally of Pakistan with a keen eye on Pakistan affairs, I am sure the U.S. does realize that in any democratic society there can only be a rule of law and not a rule by the mob," government spokesman Tariq Azim said.
Opposition leaders have warned of street protests if Musharraf presses ahead with his effort to be elected to a new five-year term by lawmakers next month. They also are challenging his plan before the Supreme Court, which rejected three petitions Monday but is considering others.
Police arrested some opposition leaders over the weekend and more on Monday as others went into hiding. The opposition said more than 200 political figures had been detained, while Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said about 40 were in custody as of Sunday.
The U.S. government, which has given billions of dollars to Pakistan for its help against terrorist groups, had been reluctant to voice open criticism of Musharraf as he has struggled with worsening unpopularity this year.
But on Monday, the U.S. Embassy said the arrests of opposition leaders were "extremely disturbing and confusing for the friends of Pakistan" and called for those detained to be freed quickly.
A statement from the embassy said it did not endorse any candidate or party as Pakistan prepares for the presidential ballot Oct. 6 by federal and provincial legislators and for parliamentary elections by January.
"We hope to see a democratic process that is inclusive and the election of a leader who represents the choice of the Pakistani people through a free, fair, and transparent process," the embassy said.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Tom Casey also was critical. He said the U.S. was concerned "any time there are steps taken that would inhibit people's ability to participate in the political process or freedom of expression."
Kamran Bokhari, South Asia analyst for the Washington-based Strategic Forecasting Inc., said the Bush administration is wary of being seen to prop up a repressive military ruler when its own troops are in tough fights in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said the U.S. government's message is: "We're watching, don't make a mess of the situation. We're not about to abandon you, but a lot depends on how you handle things."
Washington appears to support Musharraf's talks with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto over forming a power-sharing coalition that could unite Pakistani moderates in the fight against extremist groups that oppose allying with the U.S. The talks have stalled amid opposition from right-wingers in Musharraf's camp.
Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has seen his popularity and power erode since his failed effort to fire the Supreme Court's chief justice earlier this year. His administration is also struggling to contain a surge in violence by Islamic militants.
He has said he will give up his post as army chief once he is elected president, restoring civilian rule to a country long dominated by its military.
But opposition parties are arguing before the Supreme Court that Musharraf is ineligible to run for president, principally because he is still army chief. They are threatening to quit Parliament to undermine his legitimacy and warn they will stage demonstrations against his rule.
Seeking to head off protests, the government issued an order over the weekend prohibiting gatherings of more than five people in the capital. Police also detained several opposition leaders and on Monday intensified the crackdown.
"The government is bent on picking up every opposition man. All fascist tactics are being used and all the state machinery is being exploited for the illegitimate rule of one man," said Ahsan Iqbal, spokesman for the party led by Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister who was ousted by Musharraf and was prevented from returning to Pakistan earlier this month.
As the Supreme Court held hearings on Musharraf's eligibility to compete in the presidential vote, police blocked roads with barbed wire and stymied protesters' efforts to congregate, arresting some 30 members of a pro-Taliban party a few hundred yards from the court building.
"The U.S. government hired a dog in uniform," the fist-pumping protesters shouted.
Officials said police were ensuring the judges were not intimidated by crowds massing outside the courthouse.
On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed three of 10 petitions arguing that Musharraf's dual role as army chief and president makes him ineligible for another term.
Presiding Judge Rana Bhagwandas rejected one because it reached too far back into Musharraf's rule, another because the lawyer who filed it didn't show up and a third without explanation.
Rulings on the other petitions are expected later this week, but opposition politicians have said more legal challenges will be filed following the general's formal nomination as a candidate, expected Thursday.
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Associated Press writers Sadaqat Jan and Zarar Khan in Islamabad and Foster Klug in Washington contributed to this report.
Sympathy? I ask sympathy only from girls! Who asked for your sympathies? 
Because I would rather die than be forced to say something that is absolutely untrue and against humanity! You see I am not an unfeeling maniac like you! I am deeply wounded when I hear about the siezure of property, rape, torture and murder that is going on in Kashmir as I am when I hear about children picking food from gutters! Now is'nt India a dictatorship as the Kashmiris are so discontent? Do you think these skeleton kids in such dire need of food will say "the government has done a lot for me" when you ask them about their condition? Does'nt that prove that India is a dictatorship and does not care about its peoples wishes? And don't forget that minorities are discontented too! So is'nt that a dictatorship? Now am I going around screaming that India is a dictatorship? 
Bravo, i am proud of you! Atleast you managed to admit that there are idiots in India too rather than picking out the ones in Pakistan and crying that you found an idiot in Pakistan! 
BB and NS are allowed to come into the country and then allowed them to publicize freely?... you make me laugh at your pathetic description of democracy! When the people of Pakistan do not want them to come back to Pakistan then who are you to tell us that they should? Why should we bring these idiots back when almost all of the Pakistani population is alligned against them and is against their entry to Pakistan? And congratulations BB is coming to Pakistan... lets see what great treasure chest she brings for Pakistan!
next time write something much more bigger and no points except india-hating, i can have a good laugh
Free and fair elections??? God there is definately something wrong with you! Did you have a check up or did you ask the docters about your condition? I am extremely worried about your health!
