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Pakistani Security Forces Beat, Arrest Protesters


Pakistani security forces used tear gas and batons to beat back lawyers protesting emergency rule imposed by President Pervez Musharraf.

The biggest clash took place in the eastern city of Lahore, where more than one thousand lawyers rallied at the High Court on Monday. Police stormed the gathering, beating and arresting hundreds of people.

Protesters in Karachi, Rawalpindi and the capital, Islamabad, also were met with force.

More than 15-hundred people have been arrested since General Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday.

The president's most serious challenger, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has not been detained.

Ms. Bhutto is urging the government to announce a specific date for parliamentary elections. She also said the president's move was a breach of confidence in efforts to strike a power-sharing deal.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Monday that voting for parliament will be held on schedule in mid-January. On Sunday, Mr. Aziz said the elections might be delayed for up to a year.
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