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More than 1,500 arrests reported across Pakistan

Legions of baton-wielding police clashed with lawyers protesting against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf yesterday, while international pressure mounted against the imposition of emergency powers that have led to more than 1,500 arrests.

Pakistan's main stock index dropped 4.3 percent on rumors that Musharraf had been put under house arrest by the vice-chief of the army, which the US-allied leader "laughed off," Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim said. He said Musharraf was at his official residence in Islamabad.

Musharraf suspended the Constitution on Saturday, ahead of a Supreme Court ruling that could have floored his re-election as president. He ousted independent-minded judges and granted sweeping powers to authorities to crush dissent, flinging Pakistan deeper into crisis.

MEDIA BLACKOUT

Independent TV news networks remained off the air.

Police raided a printing press in Karachi belonging to Pakistan's largest media group, blocking publication of its Urdu-language evening newspaper, the Awam, Jang Group managing director Shahrukh Hassan said from the scene.

Hassan said printing for yesterday's evening paper was stopped, but negotiations were continuing over whether the press could reopen for today's editions, including Pakistan's largest-circulation daily, Jang.

CALMING FEARS

Musharraf briefed foreign ambassadors yesterday, saying the "superior judiciary paralyzed various organs of the state and created impediments in the fight against terrorism," state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Musharraf, however, has reiterated that he would complete the transition to democracy as promised.

His government said on Sunday parliamentary elections could be delayed up to a year.

Since late on Saturday, between 1,500 and 1,800 people have been detained nationwide, an Interior Ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

They include opposition leaders, lawyers and human rights activists who might mobilize protests.

At least 67 workers and supporters of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto -- who in recent months has held talks with Musharraf over an alliance to fight extremism -- had been arrested, said Pakistan People's Party spokesman Farhatullah Babar.

He said those figures were from Sunday and more arrests were made yesterday.

Lawyers attempted to stage rallies in major cities yesterday, but were beaten and arrested.

DEFENSE AID

Meanwhile, the US said it was reviewing its aid to Pakistan, a key ally in its fight against al-Qaeda and Taliban militants. Pakistan has received billions in assistance since Musharraf threw the Islamic country's support behind the US-led "war on terror" after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, on a visit to China, called the events of the past few days "disturbing."

Annual defense consultation group talks between US and Pakistani officials had been due to take place in Islamabad today and tomorrow, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters traveling with Gates.

"In light of President Musharraf's emergency declaration, it was thought wise to postpone this meeting until such time that all parties can focus on the very important issues at hand that they have to discuss," Morrell said.

"We hope to reschedule these meetings as soon as conditions are more conducive to achieving the important objectives at hand," he told reporters in Beijing.

The US has said that it is reviewing its aid to Pakistan as a result of Musharraf's actions. But Gates said Washington would be "mindful not to do anything that would undermine ongoing counter-terrorism efforts."

"Pakistan is a country of great strategic importance to the United States and a key partner in the war on terror. However, the actions of the past 72 hours have been disturbing," Gates said at a news conference with his Chinese counterpart.
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