New Delhi: Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has described as 'unprecedented' the move by President Pervez Musharraf to impose Emergency in the country and to enforce the Provisional Constitutional Order.
"Never ever in the 60-year history of Pakistan has any President done this. The situation in the country is alarming," he told CNN-IBN fro Jeddah. Sharif said by imposing the martial law, the 'Army has turned against itself' as President Musharraf also holds the post of Army Chief at present.
Sharif said Musharraf's action will bring in more hardship for the people of Pakistan and appealed to the Pakistanis to 'rise against the dictator'. "By this action, Gen Musharraf has taken away the rights of 160 million people of Pakistan under the guise of Emergency," he said.
"The people of Pakistan should rise. It's time for the people to rise. They must respond to the call of duty. This is a great opportunity. If we let it go, a similar opportunity will never come," he said.
Sharif accused Gen Musharraf of terrorising and threatening the courts in Pakistan. "His action speaks volumes about his fear that the Supreme Court might rule against him in a case challenging his eligibility to contest the Presidential election. He took this action to prevent the judgement," he said.
Sharif said Musharraf's action was another form of terrorism. "Through the new proclamation, Musharraf will now try to give a fresh oath of office to the judges. This is something which is unheard off," he said.
He said no one can predict what awaits Pakistan in the immediate future. "There could be anything, I think we are heading towards chaos. I don't know what is going to happen to our country and for the first time in my political career, it's so upsetting, disappointing and disillusioning," he said.
Sharif said whatever Gen Musharraf was doing was for his personal benefit and to perpetuate his 'personal rule,' which is using all unconstitutional methods. "The popularity rating of Gen Musharraf is in an all-time low right now. Never before any Pakistani President had gone so low in public rating," he said.
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