Pakistani President Suspends Constitution — Journalists, Lawyers, Teachers Arrested

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf suspended Pakistan’s constitution last week, expanding his rule before elections due this coming January.

The police have arrested hundreds of political activists as well as journalists, lawyers, and teachers.

Musharraf’s latest power grab has Washington on edge.

The United States employs Pakistani military bases to deploy troops to Afghanistan in its fight against Al-Qaeda.

Pakistan insists that its nuclear weapons are safe in military hands from radical elements.

For years, the Pakistani government has been at odds with its neighbor to the south, India, another nuclear power.

Still, the U.S. has said it is reviewing its military aid packages to Pakistan

The Pakistan government suspended the broadcasts of local private and foreign media outlets.

Musharraf, who gained his post in a 1999 coup, imposed the martial law as the Supreme Court was about to rule on the results of his election.

He recently replaced one high court justice with a loyalist.

Opposition leaders say Musharraf seized power last week without declaring martial law.