The last remaining shreds of democracy in Pakistan have been destroyed with the imposition of Emergency rule on the country. The constitution has been suspended, judges who declared the Emergency “unconstitutional” have been detained, political opponents have been rounded up and the media muzzled. Constitutional experts are pointing out that what is being described as “Emergency rule” is in fact martial law. The order was signed by Chief of Army Staff, General Pervez Musharraf and not by President Musharraf or Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Musharraf has shrewdly refrained from dissolving the legislatures. Musharraf has cited threats from extremists and a hostile judiciary to justify the imposition of Emergency. While it is true that Pakistan has been roiled by violence, the decision appears to have more to do with Musharraf’s determination to remain in power. The Supreme Court was expected to overturn Musharraf’s recent re-election by parliament as president. The General struck to pre-empt that ruling. He has accused the judiciary of working at “cross purposes” with his government. If the judiciary has done so it has been in defence of the Constitution. Whatever the excuses the President might proffer to justify Emergency, the fact remains that the move is illegal. Seven years after a coup ostensibly to usher in “real democracy”, Musharraf has destroyed the last vestiges of democracy in Pakistan.

Contrary to the perception held in some quarters that the imposition of Emergency will bring stability to Pakistan, it is likely that Musharraf’s move to consolidate power will plunge Pakistan into deeper crisis. He is hugely unpopular and the imposition of Emergency, especially his detention of the country’s respected judges will provoke mass protests. People have been denied democratic channels of expressing dissent. This will encourage them to opt for violent protests. As for the religious extremists and terror outfits, they can be expected to exploit the political chaos in the country. They are likely to carry out more terror attacks in the coming weeks.
By and large, the international community has expressed its unhappiness with the declaration of Emergency in Pakistan. But the US and others are unlikely to pressure Musharraf to lift Emergency. The pressure will therefore have to come from within Pakistan. It was the judicial fraternity that provided the anti-Musharraf protests earlier this year with leadership. But top judges are now under arrest. Whether Pakistan’s politicians can sink their differences to lead a struggle for restoration of democracy remains to be seen.