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Voices

Emergency Rule and Protests in Pakistan

September 11, 2007
Pakistan—Human Rights, Military Rule, and the State of Emergency (November 14, 2007)
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On November 3, 2007, General Pervez Musharraf imposed “emergency rule” in Pakistan. Arguing that drastic measures were necessary to combat a terrorist threat, he suspended the Constitution and dismissed the Supreme Court, which was about to rule his election candidacy invalid.

The imposition of martial law has been met with widespread protest, especially from the movement of lawyers that arose in opposition to continued military rule. Thousands of lawyers, judges, human rights activists, students, and politicians have been arrested and detained in the last week.

A panel of experts discussed the upheaval at a recent event. Listen above.

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