Musharraf Lifts State of Emergency in Pakistan ; Opponents Fear Rigged Elections

Summary

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf lifted a six- week state of emergency Saturday, telling a skeptical nation the crackdown was to save Pakistan from a conspiracy rather than ensure his own political survival.

But Musharraf also made clear he would keep a tight lid on dissent, entrenching limits he imposed under the emergency including strict curbs on press freedom and the replacement of independent- minded judges with jurists friendlier to the U.S.-backed leader. Opponents, who have said the changes set the stage for national elections next month to be rigged, have threatened to hold mass demonstrations.

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Musharraf Lifts State of Emergency in Pakistan ; Opponents Fear Rigged Elections

Musharraf said in a nationally televised speech that the emergency helped slow the spread of Islamic militancy, but the country still faces a ...

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