Pakistanis Protest Court Ruling

Journalists, lawyers clash with police over decision allowing Musharraf to seek another term
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 29, 2007 4:45 PM CDT
Pakistanis Protest Court Ruling
Pakistani lawyers run for shelter after police fired tear gas shells to disperse them during a clash in Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and used batons on protesting lawyers as Pakistan's Election Commission considered the validity of President Gen. Pervez...   (Associated Press)

Protests broke out in Pakistan today after lawmakers approved Pervez Musharraf's run for re-election. Protesters, led by journalists and lawyers. clashed with police, who hurled tear gas and brandished riot batons outside a federal building. At least 3 demonstrators were hospitalized and 2 journalists arrested after the melee, CNN reports.

The government shut down TV channels for airing the protests, another sign of a tense election week ahead in Pakistan. Musharraf has promised to leave his military post if re-elected, but protesters argue that he must drop the position first. Musharraf has been unable to strike a power-sharing deal with Benazir Bhutto, the exiled ex-PM who blames his handlers for scuttling the accord. (More Nawaz Sharif stories.)

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