The Hindu : Front Page : The phone call that led to the emergency

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Monday, Nov 05, 2007
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The phone call that led to the emergency

ISLAMABAD: A reported telephone call by Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry about a decision on the petition against the Presidential election prompted the authorities to impose emergency in the country.

A government official, when asked about the reasons behind the move, said Mr. Justice Chaudhry had reportedly informed one of his friends on telephone that the Supreme Court was going to hand down a verdict against General Musharraf.

The secret agencies intercepted a call from Mr. Justice Chaudhry’s phone a few days ago, in which he even disclosed the number of judges favouring and opposing the decision. This forced the top policymakers to devise the emergency plan.

The official, working closely with one of the presidential aides, further said the government took extra time in the execution of this plan so as to make it safer. “They have been holding clandestine meetings for the last few nights, which cost them almost an extra day than the estimated time to execute the emergency plan,” he disclosed.

“Iftikhar Chaudhry told his friend that eight judges gave their opinion against Musharraf, while three others were in his favour,” the official said.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the former Premier, Benazir Bhutto, recommended the name of Justice Abdul Hamid Dogar for new Chief Justice, The Nation reported.

“The top government quarters took Bhutto in confidence on the issue and she nodded in favour of Mr. Dogar,” the official stated.

To authenticate his information, he said Mr. Justice Dogar was appointed by Ms. Bhutto in 1995. — ANI

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