UPDATE: Oh, great.

Pakistan is considering enforcement of Islamic laws in Pakistan’s north-western Swat valley to meet the demands of pro-Taliban militants who briefly seized and then released around 100 security personnel after nine days’ fierce fighting that left more than 200 people dead. “The government is considering the implementation of Sharia law in the view of the demands of the local people,” said Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai, governor of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) in which the valley is situated…

Earlier, the rebels surrounded and disarmed 48 paramilitary soldiers on Thursday, who were released again Friday.

“We did not want to fight these Muslim brothers (militants) who are striving for the enforcement of Islamic sharia (law),” a captive told reporters before the release.

Via Allah.

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UPDATE: Musharraf has replaced the Chief Justice. 100+ paramilitary troops have arrived at Benazir Bhutto’s house. Bhutto has arrived in Pakistan, according to the AFP. Telephone lines have been cut in Islamabad, while troops have taken-over television and radio stations, shutting down independent media. Musharraf to address the nation tonight.

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Musharraf declares state of emergency. Supreme Court Overrules. Chief Justice led out by Army. As Allah says, it’s a coup.

The Pakistani leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, declared a state of emergency about 6 p.m. local time today, Pakistani television reported.

All members of the Supreme Court will be required to sign a new provisional constitutional order mandating the state of emergency. It is widely believed that any judge failing to do so will be dismissed.

The declaration came days before the Supreme Court was expected to rule on the constitutionality of General Musharraf’s re-election as president last month and of his ability to serve as both the country’s president and military leader…

A Pakistani intelligence official said that a list had been prepared of prominent Pakistani journalists and opposition politicians who would be detained.

BBC News says the independent media is off the air.

Stand by…