London, UK, March 24 2007 – Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain are holding an emergency meeting in London later today [Saturday] to discuss the political crisis that has engulfed Pakistan following the sacking of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Chaudhury, by Pakistani President Pervaiz Musharraf.

The meeting will consider the ramifications of the political crisis that has developed following Chaudhury's dismissal. Political commentators have said that the Chief Justice was dismissed by Musharraf as he "was not considered sufficiently reliable to deliver pleasing legal judgments in a year when Musharraf is seeking to extend his presidency by five more years, remain as army chief and hold what would undoubtedly be rigged general elections."

Dr Imran Waheed, media representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said, "Since the sacking of Chaudhury, there has been a brutal and violent crackdown on demonstrators, the legal fraternity and the media by Musharraf's military junta. This latest crisis shows once again that Western governments are more than willing to back compliant dictators and tyrants who ride roughshod over the masses in the Muslim world."

"While Western governments rush to condemn Mugabe's treatment of political opponents in Zimbabwe and preach the virtues of 'freedom and democracy' they continue to prop up brutal dictators in the Muslim world. Their support for Musharraf is no surprise given that he has sold out over Kashmir, permitted American forces to establish bases in Pakistan, legitimised the occupation of Iraq, provided logistical support and intelligence to US forces in Afghanistan and surrendered control over Pakistan's economy to multinationals."

"At today's seminar, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain will call on the people of power and influence in Pakistan to liberate themselves and Pakistan from American hegemony by re-establishing the Caliphate, which will defend the separation of powers between the military, the executive and the judiciary."

The emergency meeting will be held at Friends Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ [nearest tube: Euston] at 3 p.m. on Saturday 24th March 2007.

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