2007 Pakistani state of emergency

2007 Pakistani state of emergency was a state of emergency declared by Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, on November 3, 2007. This emergency was imposed in response to the growing instability and unrest in the country, particularly the Lal Masjid siege and the Supreme Court of Pakistan's decision to hear the case of Pervez Musharraf's eligibility to contest the Pakistani presidential election, 2007. The emergency was characterized by the suspension of the Constitution of Pakistan, the dismissal of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and the imposition of strict media censorship, as seen in the cases of Geo TV and ARY One World. The emergency was widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, with leaders such as George W. Bush, Gordon Brown, and Jose Manuel Barroso expressing their concerns.

● Introduction

The 2007 Pakistani state of emergency was a critical event in the country's history, marking a significant turning point in the struggle for power between the Pakistan Army, the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), and the Pakistan Peoples Party. The emergency was declared by Pervez Musharraf, who had been facing growing opposition from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, led by Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and the Pakistan Bar Council, led by Munir A. Malik. The emergency was also influenced by the War in North-West Pakistan, the Insurgency in Balochistan, and the Kashmir conflict, which had created a sense of instability and insecurity in the country. Key figures such as Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, and Asif Ali Zardari played important roles in shaping the events surrounding the emergency, with Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto returning to Pakistan from exile to participate in the Pakistani general election, 2008.

● Background

The background to the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency was marked by a series of events, including the Lal Masjid siege, the Supreme Court of Pakistan's decision to hear the case of Pervez Musharraf's eligibility to contest the Pakistani presidential election, 2007, and the growing unrest in the North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan. The Pakistan Army had been engaged in a fierce battle against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, led by Baitullah Mehsud, and the Balochistan Liberation Army, led by Hyrbyair Marri. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had also been hearing cases related to the disappearance of people in Pakistan, which had created tensions between the judiciary and the executive. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority had imposed strict censorship on the media, affecting channels such as Geo TV and ARY One World, while the Inter-Services Intelligence and the Federal Investigation Agency had been involved in the enforced disappearance of several Pakistani journalists and human rights activists.

● Proclamation of Emergency

The proclamation of emergency was made by Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007, under the Constitution of Pakistan's Article 232. The emergency was declared in response to the growing instability and unrest in the country, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan's decision to hear the case of Pervez Musharraf's eligibility to contest the Pakistani presidential election, 2007. The emergency was characterized by the suspension of the Constitution of Pakistan, the dismissal of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and the imposition of strict media censorship. The Pakistan Army and the paramilitary forces were deployed in key cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, to maintain law and order. The United Nations, the European Union, and the Commonwealth of Nations condemned the emergency, with leaders such as Ban Ki-moon, Jose Manuel Barroso, and Don McKinnon expressing their concerns.

● Key Events and Reactions

The key events and reactions surrounding the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency included the Lal Masjid siege, the Supreme Court of Pakistan's decision to hear the case of Pervez Musharraf's eligibility to contest the Pakistani presidential election, 2007, and the growing unrest in the North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan. The Pakistan Army and the paramilitary forces were involved in a series of military operations, including the Operation Silence and the Operation Rah-e-Haq, to quell the insurgency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the North-West Frontier Province. The international community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, condemned the emergency, with leaders such as George W. Bush, Gordon Brown, and Angela Merkel expressing their concerns. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, led by Asma Jahangir, and the Amnesty International also condemned the emergency, highlighting the human rights abuses committed during the period.

● Aftermath and Consequences

The aftermath and consequences of the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency were significant, with the Pakistani general election, 2008 being held in February 2008. The election saw the Pakistan Peoples Party emerge as the largest party, with Asif Ali Zardari becoming the President of Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League (N), led by Nawaz Sharif, also performed well in the election, and Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The emergency had a significant impact on the Pakistani economy, with the Pakistani rupee depreciating significantly against the US dollar. The emergency also had a significant impact on the Pakistani media, with several Pakistani journalists and human rights activists being arrested and detained. The Supreme Court of Pakistan also played a crucial role in the aftermath of the emergency, with the court reinstating Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

● Impact on Pakistani Politics

The 2007 Pakistani state of emergency had a significant impact on Pakistani politics, with the Pakistan Army's role in politics being redefined. The emergency marked a significant shift in the balance of power between the Pakistan Army and the civilian institutions, with the Supreme Court of Pakistan emerging as a key player in the country's politics. The emergency also marked a significant shift in the Pakistani politics, with the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) emerging as the dominant parties. The emergency also had a significant impact on the Pakistani society, with the human rights abuses committed during the period having a lasting impact on the country. The Pakistani media also played a crucial role in the aftermath of the emergency, with several Pakistani journalists and human rights activists highlighting the human rights abuses committed during the period. Key figures such as Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, and Asif Ali Zardari continued to shape the country's politics, with Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerging as a new force in Pakistani politics.