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Army General and President Pervez Musharraf delcared a State of Emergency in Pakistan. The Army has imposed Martial Law.

The declaration came only hours before the Supreme court were to announce the legality of Musharraf's reelection. The Supreme Court refused to endorse the declaration. They argued it was unconstitutional. Following the declaration, the Supreme Court was placed in house arrest and a new Chief Justice was appointed.

According to Najam Sethi of Rediff News Musharraf has declared a state of emergency as Army Chief and announced a Provisional Constitutional Order, which only an Army Chief can order. Meanwhile, the Provisional Constitutional Order 'confirms and upholds' Musharraf as President of Pakistan. It demands a new oath from those judges who wish to be part of the new Federal Shariat Court, High Court and Supreme Court. Sethi argues that this will create a pro-executive judiciary within a relatively short amount of time.

Demonstrations are expected from the oppostion. However, with the media blinded and the judiciary temporarily suspended it seems the army and the police will be able to crush the movement. Afterwards, Sethi believes that Musharraf will return the country to a democracy.