Reuters
Pakistani paramilitary troops stand guard outside the state-run television station in Islamabad on Saturday. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule because of mounting militant attacks and interference by members of the judiciary, according to the text of his order.

ISLAMABAD, (Reuters):

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule yesterday, deploying troops and sacking a top judge in a bid to reassert his flagging authority against political rivals and Islamist militants.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan's internal security has deteriorated sharply in recent months with a wave of suicide attacks by al Qaida-inspired militants, including one that killed 139 people.

State-run Pakistan Television said Musharraf had suspended the constitution and declared an emergency, ending weeks of speculation that the general, who seized power in a 1999 coup, might impose emergency rule or martial law.

The United States, which sees Musharraf as a crucial ally against al Qaida in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan, had earlier urged him to resist taking any authoritarian measures.

Most phone lines down

Witnesses said troops were deployed at Pakistan Television and radio stations, and most phone lines were down. Other troops sealed off the thoroughfare where the presidency building, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court are located.

Television channels said that Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whose earlier dismissal in March marked the beginning of a slide in Musharraf's popularity, had been told that his services were "no longer required".

Chaudhry had been reinstated in July.

Musharraf had been awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether he was eligible to run for re-election last month while still army chief. The court had said on Friday it would reconvene on Monday and try to finish the case quickly.

Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the provisional constitutional order issued by the president.

Aitzaz Ahsan, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, told reporters at his home he was being arrested.

"One man has taken the entire nation hostage ... Time has come for General Musharraf to go," he said. Fellow lawyers shouted "Go, Musharraf, go!" as Ahsan was taken away by police.

Parliamentary elections

The move is expected to put off parliamentary elections due in January Pakistan Television said that the Cabinet, national and provincial assemblies would continue to function.

A senior security official told Reuters that Musharraf would seek approval for the move from the Cabinet later, after which there were expectations he would address the nation.

The Cabinet was due to start meeting at 7 p.m.