Police in Pakistan have baton-charged dozens of lawyers protesting against President Musharraf's state of emergency.

The authorities have also been rounding up key opponents in a bid to assert military rule.

Are you in Pakistan and have you been affected by the troubled situation there? Or do you have families and friends caught up in the violence?

We'd like to hear from the front line.

Comments

[tahera lahore pk Dec 5, 2007 6:56:54 PM]

okay, we are all having a giggle at the photo, we all want Musharraf to go and we all want democracy in pakistan at last.
But do we want Bhutto? i think not!
Im all for Imran Khan who seems to say everything we want to be said to other corrupt politicians, his no nonsense style makes me want to believe he would seriously put Pakistani peoples interest first, but we have a problem with this as hes not standing in these rigged elections... Alas!
What, pray tell, are we to do Mr Khan?
on a more serious note, why Sky News has been banned along with Geo, just beats me.
Why im still here beats me too....

[naseem dar.Doncaster UK Nov 16, 2007 1:50:24 PM]

My request to all policians is to stop agitating and get on with their policical manifesto.

The common man in Pakistan has suffered in democracy and dictatorship, so what is new.

[Faisal Haroon, Lahore PAKISTAN Nov 15, 2007 7:37:34 AM]

General Musharraf’s strength are not the people of Pakistan as he claims. They are too week to give strength to anyone. No education, no clean drinking water, no rights, no security. How can they be strength for anyone. His strength is from the West. The Governments and the in fact the media in the West that portrayed him as a likable person, a brave ally and a dictator who worked for democracy. Now the Pakistani people are paying the price for this.

[Haque Nov 14, 2007 11:12:42 PM]

Musharraf has undoubtably done more for pak than any of the previous leaders. only with him will there be a real future. getting rid of all lawyers has been a step forward despite it creating a dilema because everyone one of them is corrupt or is aware of corrupt lawyers yet do nothing, the people of pakistan know this and do nothing. Bhutto the fool engages in protests that are deeping the situation, it is clear she is only doing so to gain support she has never had any real optimistic purpose for the country and that is evident form history

[mujahid, london Nov 14, 2007 11:28:48 AM]

The only way the crisis in Pakistan and all over the Muslim world can be solved is through the established of the Islamic Caliphate. There should be one Islamic State for all the worlds Muslims. Only through unity can there be peace.

[Dr Azhar Kuala Lumpur Nov 14, 2007 5:39:10 AM]

Both of this guy must step down, to long already stay in Government, they have so many ideas just to protect their own benefits'. The worst part they do not know how to solve the problem arises, let Pakistan peoples select a good President for better Pakistan. Long live Pakistan.

[sadiq London Nov 13, 2007 11:02:19 PM]

The west needs to decide whether it wants a stable moderate Pakistan or a democratic Pakistan because it cannot have both!...

Reason being that democracy in Pakistan has been hijacked by corrupt individuals who only serve their own interests, hence stability and moderation is not possible

I say give musharraf a chance, he has done better than any other leader and deserves the benefit of the doubt

[London Nov 13, 2007 2:36:55 PM]

I agree with the earlier writer that Lawyers in Pakistan are the biggest criminals. They don't do anything good for society. The Law on other hand is in corrupt state. The Judges can easily be bought. I believe it is good that they are being taught a good lesson. I also agree that Media was given too much loose hand. In-fact Media here in west looks free but it is not. It does not cast the news in such a bias manner as it was done by GEO. Dr Shahid and other presenters such as Nadia Khan speaks out in such a manner which would only create hatred. On the other hand I believe it is not good practice to wipe out the Law and Media from the land. They should impose restrictions and lay down code of conducts.

[choudhry d Nov 12, 2007 9:31:03 PM]

hi,
Mushrraf should stay prasident for next 5 years because he has done lot of good things in last 8 years.
Benazir bhutto should stay away from prime manister house.
Peopels party has a right to have a new honest chairperson and benazir should retire from politics.

[juzz essex Nov 12, 2007 4:58:07 PM]

you cant trust anybody in that part of the world too corrupt and too fanatical

[Aleem Akhtar Nov 12, 2007 4:08:02 PM]

The "WHOLE" Pakistani nation is Corrupt, With Money you can do virtually anything out there, from Fake Passports, Driving Licences to Fake Personal ID Cards. Its all about the Money.

Local Elections are won by Parties paying the Poor for Votes also the MQM virtually run the Punjab province!

Nobody is thinking of the Poor who live day in day out without Food and Electricity at most times of the day.

SORRY, but Musharraf and Bhutto NO CHANCE!!

[kk Nov 12, 2007 2:03:32 PM]

I really feel sorry about the way Journalism has degenerated to a level where only what suits the agenda is posted.You disappoint me for not being impartial in your reporting of events in my country.Is East London fire breakout of violence in your island Kingdom?So burning of a tyre by three persons in a street and arrest of person means breakout of violence.This may be what you desire but it is not happening.Remember this is not Falkland and you are no super power.

[Nabila Karachi Nov 11, 2007 2:19:13 PM]

Its ironic that people not even in Pakistan pass judgement and opine about things which they have no idea about. Pervez Musharafs only aim in implementing the emergency is to protect himself so that he can hang onto power. The judges of the superior courts were a threat to him because for the first time in history they were doing their job properly. By removing them from the scene he has removed any legal resistance to his future plans.
An undermined judiciary is very dangerous for the people of Pakistan. How can anyone in their right mind think that they are getting any justice from Musharrafs appointed puppets.
Although pressure has been applied by countries like the US and the UK we all know that it is an eye wash because they all need Musharraf for their percieved war on terror. What Pakistan needs is the reappointment of its superior court justices along with the lifting of the emergency and nothing less

[Marium, Norfolk Nov 10, 2007 5:00:05 PM]

Musharaf is the best thing that has happened to Pakistan in a long time. I say well done to him, especially on the handling of lawyers. We have a court case going on, and it's ridiculous to see how corrupt they actually are. These are the kind of lawyers that don't care about justice as of course, justice isn't available to anyone other than themselves. No these people are more worried about which side can bribe them with more cash, defence or prosecution.

Well I say well done, it's about time that Musharaf done something about it. And Benazir, is now in the country trying to get votes, but lets not forget last time she ruled. The coutry nearly became divided, she is her fathers daughter looking for revenge. It's only a shame that the people of Pakistan are so easily conned.

[Shahnawaz Laghari,Hyderabad,Pakistan Nov 10, 2007 10:26:29 AM]

Ms Ramla, Karachi, Pakistan Said that emeregecny didn't make any difference in daily routin life,I want to ask that can she watch any news channel in Pakistan rite now ?if she is felling relaxing at home,that don't mean that life is very relax in Pakistan ask from those who are arrested ask from Former Chief Justice how he is suffreing,I want to say that if u don't know nay thing about the Pakistan please don't write any thing,growww up now leave the air condition rooms.....:@

[Henry, Bath Nov 8, 2007 10:05:56 AM]

Musharaff is undoubtdly the only way to take pakistan forward. Benazir bhutto is a novelty because she is a woman, but in reality she is a political lightweight. Discipline must be shown by Musharaff to his people and his violent actions must be tolerated by the west.
To get serious about Pakistans issues, pakistan needs a serious leader. Musharaff is, Bhutto's pro democracy, sit on the fence nonsense is not the way forward.

[Ayesha USA Nov 7, 2007 5:42:05 PM]

That is a staged photo. That is not a police officer pulling that man's hair and the people in the background are laughing. This whole incident is a political game being played by the world media for whatever purpose. Just remember to believe only half of what you hear and NONE of what you read. I have communication with my family in Lahore everyday and life is as usual. Musharaf is a great leader with a vision for his country and has been good for Pakistan.

[S Bhatti Nov 7, 2007 3:44:30 PM]

LONG LIVE THE GENERAL!!!!

He is the best person for Pakistan... Time will tell this for sure... whoever comes next into power will face the same fate afer 8 years..and this is all due to the majority of Pakistanis witin Pakistan being ilitirate.. they truly have no clue what is really best for the country

[Anthony - Durban Nov 7, 2007 8:20:43 AM]

Politicians the world over are always claiming that they have the interests of their electorate at heart, yet their actions commit many innocent folks to misery and poverty. We should all remind ourselves of the words of Voltaire, that very eminent French philosopher who said "Instead of wars, we should put all the politicians in a field until they themselves have sorted their differences out"

[Kam, Berkshire Nov 7, 2007 8:13:12 AM]

I think Musharraf has been good for Pakistan, although the way in which he came to power was probably wrong.

I dont think there is anything wrong with a "dictator" if it is doing good for the country and the world in general.

I cant believe the americans and british, they should support musharraf just as he has done in the past instead of withdrawing their financial support.

If musharraf had not been in power for the last few years it would not have surprised me if pakistan had gone to war to help iraq and afghanistan.

Musharraf has stopped pakistn from going to war with india.

He has put the countries intrests first. Bhutto, Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharrif are in it for the money and just say what the backwards thinking public say - hate america, hate british and hate the west!

If the public are a bunch of terrorists that live for war, then why let them decide who should lead the country?! they dont deserve democracy

[Kabeel From (Teeside) Nov 7, 2007 3:59:00 AM]

At this duration of time I believe that by the emergency crisis Pakistan probably, will gain strength from it's weaknesses.
And President Musharraf is a man who is untouchable.

Thanks

Kabeel

[Tanveer, London Nov 7, 2007 1:09:06 AM]

International Media is sincere about Pakistan than they have to look in details about the history of Pakistan. Especially the Politician, what Pakistan is s facing today is all because of this disgusting politician. They are the one who comes to power start looting the country in every possible way they can. They are not belong from poor families, they belongs to elite class, who have lived such a wonderful life that even common people in the west not dare too think about. Pakistan is such unlucky that in their last 60 years they can’t able to produce one leader who are sincere, intelligent and have vision for the future.

Why Pakistan is still on the map of the world is because of the Pakistan Army. General Musharraff is the only hope for Pakistan to take them in a direction where the every Pakistani dreams for. Well it is not easy way because we still choose the daughter of the former Prime Minister Bhutto who in order to gain PM ship, never hesitate to divide Pakistan .Then her beloved daughter twice make every single attempt to bring the country to it breaking point. Still she can make difference by becoming PM third time?

We have one industrialist Pakistani got to become Prime Minister twice because he was given chance by that time Military dictator Zia ul Haq. He flourishes himself under his military umbrella. Twice becoming PM, he also tried to make Pakistan as on of his Private Company. His own brother was Chief Minister of Punjab, and his own employer Mr Tarrar was President.

Both of them have such a shameful past but still both have the guts to say they want to lead the country again. Both of them have destroyed every single institution in the Pakistan. Even in their own tenure they never think of giving independence to media and the judiciary. The thing common about this two so called great leaders is that they never practice democratic way in their own party and will remain the President of their own part till the day they will die. Now the way both are behaving that previously they have fine records of achievement. SHAME ON BOTH OF YOU.

Now we have a military dictator General Musharraff who has given us hope, vision for the future. The country that in his 60 years history never has proper democracy, how can he over night create a western style democratic society? I am not saying that he is perfect but as an Army chief he has the sincerity and passion for Pakistan.

First time in Pakistan history he gives freedom to press and media. Asked any Pakistani, if ever they have seen this type of freedom of speech in Pakistan before? He gave opportunity to media to criticise the sitting government. These people should be thankful to General Musharraff that still all this anti government programme he never interfere. What happen to media is they never use to this kind of freedom of speech in last 60 years they don’t know how to handle this and at the end blow everything.

After Long time Pakistan got a leader Like Musharraff who took Pakistan in a positive way. In 60 years of shameful Pakistan’s history he tried to restores some face for Pakistan. He got good educated and sincere middle class people in his cabinet to lead Pakistan in new direction.
The move forward is the only way. We have to get a new elected government with out Benazir and Nawaz. Let Musharraff to take off his uniform and be a civilian President for Pakistan. The new government should start working towards a better and prosperous Pakistan. This can be done provided this time the elected government think about doing some good for the country. This is only possible If General Musharraff stayed their.

[sheikh London Nov 6, 2007 7:23:10 PM]

Pakistan situation is where Army Generals and Politicians think they are above the law and they take these measures whatever they want thinking that they are the only people who can think right and rest of 180 million pakistanis are stupid. Then we have corrupt chaudhy shujat and brothers so called politicians who can not even speak properly however Army should never come in to government cause it make our army corrupt whose top ranks are already so corrupt and grabbing public assets.

[Sam Belfast Nov 6, 2007 6:34:06 PM]

Pakistan like MOST other Islamic nations are wild. Every other day there are chaotic scenes, blood shed and violence. Seeing that the Quran is the centre of Islamic nation, they should think about a re-write or a re-think! Sorry to stir emotion, but this does come down to religion. No offence to Muslims and tree hugging liberals.

[Anon Nov 6, 2007 5:49:15 PM]

Everything shown in the media is a lie. Musharraf has just declared a state of emergency to get the chief justice and the others out of the way.
I have spoken to relatives in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and everything is fine.