Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan on Nov. 3.  This move is being described as emergency rule, but in reality martial law is essentially in full effect.  .

      This is a rather drastic move as the constitution has been suspended and troops have been deployed in all major cities. All independent news channels have gone off the air, but news is trickling in through satellite stations and sources on the ground.

       It is suspected that Musharraf will announce that the emergency has been called out of necessity to contain the rising Islamist insurgency throughout the country.

       Westplex Today's international watcher thinks the move was made for political reasons. Musharraf, who finagled his way into getting re-elected as president Oct. 6, faces a hostile Supreme Court, of which the majority is in favor of nullifying his presidency, despite the government's persistent threats and bribes.

         Westplex Today has learned from our sources that Musharraf caught wind of the Supreme Court's plans to dislodge him from power, leaving him with no choice but to resort to his last option: declaring emergency rule and holding onto power through force.

      We must not forget that Pakistan is an important cog in our war efforts in Afghanistan so there is no question our administration 24/7 is watching this very closely.   We understand former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who leads the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has struck a power-sharing deal with Masharraf to secure her seat in the government when elections take place in early January 08.  

        It is not surprising that Bhutto left for Dubai to visit her family November 2^nd.   She can be seen leading massive street protests that threaten to remove Musharraf from power.  

        We must not forget while all this is going on that Pakistan has “The Bomb”.   Let’s hope whoever is in charge of the ‘control football’ has a level head and keeps stone sober.        

        So if you think we have problems here in the states…let’s be thankful that this magnitude of problems are not going on here.