Pakistani Police Battle Lawyers

Hundreds more arrested as cops storm courthouse rally protesting emergency rule
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 5, 2007 5:12 AM CST
Pakistani Police Battle Lawyers
Pakistani police officers stand on alert at the main entrance gate of the city courts in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007. Legions of police firing tear gas and swinging batons clashed with lawyers Monday as security forces across Pakistan blockaded courts to quash protests against President...   (Associated Press)

Baton-swinging Pakistani police clashed violently today with lawyers across the nation demonstrating against President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule and suspension of civil rights. Hundreds were were arrested, joining 1,500 activists detained yesterday. In the largest confrontation security forces rushed 2,000 demonstrators outside the high court in Lahore.

Musharraf told foreign ambassadors today the "superior judiciary paralyzed various organs of the state and created impediments in the fight against terrorism." But international pressure against the move mounted. Condoleezza Rice urged Musharraf to sever his links with the military and reinstate civilian rule, and both the US and Britain said they were reviewing their aid to Pakistan in light of the crisis. (More Pakistan stories.)

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