Musharraf Lifts Emergency in Pakistan

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Saturday ordered the restoration of the Constitution and an end to the emergency decree he issued Nov. 3.

Constitutional rule was restored after Musharraf approved a flurry of amendments and decrees to ensure his recent actions could not be challenged by any court, The New York Times reported Saturday.

Musharraf’s order, restoring the right of assembly and freedom of movement, comes just three weeks before parliamentary elections. The order will help ensure the elections are free and fair, said Afzal Haider, Pakistan’s acting law minister. Critics still insist the election will be rigged, the Times reported.

Musharraf also took oaths Saturday from 14 loyal judges on the new Supreme Court, permanently replacing the justices he dismissed six weeks ago when emergency rule plunged Pakistan into political turmoil and earned Musharraf international criticism and condemnation.

Musharraf, who already has been re-elected to a second term, has relinquished his army chief title, which was the focus of a legal battle against him when he imposed his emergency rule.