Pakistani Lawyers Jailed for Terrorism

Lawyers in Pakistan reportedly were being jailed on terrorism charges in Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s crackdown on judicial activism.

Those charged were expected to appear in terrorism courts, CNN reported. In addition, thousands of other protesters were arrested as the crackdown continued.

Eight journalist were reported arrested as the Musharraf government also suppressed local and international media.

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto left her home in Karachi for Islamabad Tuesday for meetings with other opposition leaders about how to respond to Musharraf’s suspension of the constitution and declaration of a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said judges who refused to take a new oath under the Provincial Constitutional Ordinance were real judges, Pakistan News Service said.

Speaking by telephone to the rally organized by the Islamabad Bar Association against imposition of emergency rule, Chaudhry urged continued support for an independent judiciary.

Don’t be afraid of anything, Chaudhry said. God will help us and the day will come when you’ll see the constitution supreme and no dictatorship for a long time.