Pakistan frees thousands held under emergency

Pakistan has begun releasing more than 5,000 lawyers, opposition and rights activists detained under emergency powers invoked by President Pervez Musharraf two weeks ago, the Interior Ministry said yesterday.

Army chief General Musharraf has been under pressure from the opposition, the US and Western governments to roll back the emergency he announced on November 3 and ensure elections in January are held under free and fair conditions.

Around 3,400 detainees were released yesterday and some 2,000 more would be released soon, Javed Iqbal Cheema, the Interior Ministry spokesman, told a news conference.

Increasingly isolated at home, Mr Musharraf flew to Saudi Arabia yesterday leaving a trail of speculation that he would reach out to arch foe Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister he deposed in a 1999 coup, who is now living in exile in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

The Election Commission announced yesterday that parliamentary polls would be held on January 8, the date chosen by President Musharraf, but the unpopular military leader has been warned the election will lack credibility if the emergency remains in place.

On Monday, the Supreme Court, packed with government-friendly judges, struck down five challenges to General Musharraf's re-election last month. The last one will be heard tomorrow.

Once the court clears the way, General Musharraf has promised to step down as army chief and take the oath as a civilian president.