Sunday Mail; Glasgow (UK) - PAKISTAN'S President Musharraf declared a state of emergency yesterday amid rising Islamic violence.

The military ruler's announcement came ahead of a crucial supreme court ruling on his future as head of state.

Hundreds have been left dead in recent weeks as a result of the unrest.

Seven supreme court judges immediately rejected the emergency, which suspended the current constitution.

The government blocked transmissions of all but state-run TV and cut phone services in the capital, Islamabad, where paramilitary soldiers patrolled the streets.

Britain and the United States, Pakistan's main Western allies, expressed concern about the state of emergency, fearing it may jeopardise the country's transition to democracy.

But elements in Pakistan's ruling party had been pushing for it in case the supreme court disqualifies Musharraf's October 6 presidential victory because he contested the vote while still army chief.

The court has emerged this year as the main check on Musharraf's dominance and is due to issue a verdict before his current term expires November 15.

Crucial parliamentary elections are due by January, which are meant to restore civilian rule.

Pakistani opposition leaders condemned the move. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif demanded Musharraf step down.

And Benazir Bhutto's spokesman said she was sitting in a plane at Karachi airport, waiting to see if she would be arrested or deported.

(c) 2007 Sunday Mail; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.