Hundreds Arrested in Pakistan Crackdown (VIDEO)

Private television channel broadcasts remained blocked in most of Pakistan. Reports indicate that Pakistan's reception of the BBC, CNN and other international agencies is also jammed.

Salem-News.com

(ISLAMABAD, Pakistan) - It has been confirmed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan that as many as 500 people were arrested across the country this weekend. It is part of a crackdown that started after a state of emergency was declared by the President.

Political experts say the dismissal of judges and the suspension of the country's constitution by Pervez Musharraf is driving the nation to a point where something or someone is going to give. The government says it maintains a commitment to holding elections that had been set for January, but are now delayed.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz says the declaration of emergency will be short lived, but will take as long as necessary. He says the measures, which could be called nothing short of extraordinary, are intended to ensure effective governance.

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But the hundreds arrested today were opponents of President Pervez Musharraf, and they included judges, human rights activists and rival politicians.

The LA Times reports that they were rounded up Sunday by police, and that it signals the beginning of what could be a long and concerted crackdown against people who have challenged Musharraf's authority in recent months.

He has also clamped down on the country's media which has kept his activities under a public microscope for the most part, until now. Private television channel broadcasts remained blocked in most of Pakistan. Reports indicate that Pakistan's reception of the BBC, CNN and other international agencies are also jammed.

In describing the motions his country is going through, largely at the calling of Musharraf, Azim says Pakistan is facing, "the worst kind of law and order situation," adding that he hopes along with everyone else, for the result to be made in Pakistan's best interest.

Pakistan's government says it's committed to holding a general election but is undecided when it will take place.

The video below from Reporter Owen Fay comes to you courtesy of Al Jazeera and YouTube

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