Constitutional Changes Spark New Battles in Pakistan

Opponents vow to undo Musharraf's revisions
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 16, 2007 4:27 PM CST
Constitutional Changes Spark New Battles in Pakistan
Lawyers chant slogans in front of a line of police during a protest against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, in Islamabad, Pakistan Saturday Dec. 15, 2007. Musharraf lifted Pakistan's six-week-old state of emergency and restored the constitution Saturday, easing a crackdown that has enraged opponents...   (Associated Press)

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf just retired his army uniform, but he should prepare for a fight, the AP says, as Nawaz Sharif's opposition group plans to reverse constitutional revisions he made before lifting emergency rule yesterday. Musharraf imposed limits on the press, sealed the retirements of Supreme Court judges, and removed a condition used to challenge his re-election.

Ex-PM Sharif and his party claim the moves help Musharraf rig next month’s parliamentary elections. The party’s chairman said the changes “will leave a bitter legacy,” and several key newspapers joined the fight, with one saying Musharraf dealt a blow to democracy. The president, maintaining that rebels aimed to thwart the elections, warned opponents not to start trouble. (More Pakistan stories.)

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