09-25-2007, 02:52 AM
<b>US raps Pakistan crackdown on opposition </b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The United States strongly criticized Pakistan's government Monday, saying it was "extremely disturbed" by a roundup of opposition leaders ahead of key court rulings on the re-election bid by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.
<b>It was an unusual scolding from the country that has counted Musharraf as a key ally</b> against al-Qaida since the Sept. 11 attacks, but his administration brushed off the comments, saying the crackdown is needed to prevent the opposition from fomenting trouble and trying to intimidate the Supreme Court.
"As a very close ally of Pakistan with a keen eye on Pakistan affairs, I am sure the U.S. does realize that in any democratic society there can only be a rule of law and not a rule by the mob," government spokesman Tariq Azim said.
Opposition leaders have warned of street protests if Musharraf presses ahead with his effort to be elected to a new five-year term by lawmakers next month. They also are challenging his plan before the Supreme Court, which rejected three petitions Monday but is considering others.
Police arrested some opposition leaders over the weekend and more on Monday as others went into hiding. <b>The opposition said more than 200 political figures had been detained, while Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said about 40 were in custody as of Sunday.</b>.............<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>It was an unusual scolding from the country that has counted Musharraf as a key ally</b> against al-Qaida since the Sept. 11 attacks, but his administration brushed off the comments, saying the crackdown is needed to prevent the opposition from fomenting trouble and trying to intimidate the Supreme Court.
"As a very close ally of Pakistan with a keen eye on Pakistan affairs, I am sure the U.S. does realize that in any democratic society there can only be a rule of law and not a rule by the mob," government spokesman Tariq Azim said.
Opposition leaders have warned of street protests if Musharraf presses ahead with his effort to be elected to a new five-year term by lawmakers next month. They also are challenging his plan before the Supreme Court, which rejected three petitions Monday but is considering others.
Police arrested some opposition leaders over the weekend and more on Monday as others went into hiding. <b>The opposition said more than 200 political figures had been detained, while Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said about 40 were in custody as of Sunday.</b>.............<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->