Pakistani police mounted a massive show of force on Tuesday, placing former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto under house arrest for the second time in five days to prevent her from leading a march against emergency rule.
Hundreds of her supporters gathered outside Ms. Bhutto's residence in Lahore, preparing to begin a caravan to the capital, Islamabad. Many were thrown into police vans and taken into custody.
Barricaded inside, Ms. Bhutto called on military ruler Pervez Musharraf to resign as president and army chief. It was the first time she has urged General Musharraf to quit altogether.
The two leaders have held talks in recent months, trying to negotiate a power sharing deal favored by the United States.
But Ms. Bhutto said with General Musharraf's show of force under emergency rule, she could never serve as prime minister under him. She said her opposition party might boycott general elections expected by January ninth.
Ms. Bhutto also said she would pursue a political alliance with another ex-Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif.
Hundreds of her supporters gathered outside Ms. Bhutto's residence in Lahore, preparing to begin a caravan to the capital, Islamabad. Many were thrown into police vans and taken into custody.
Barricaded inside, Ms. Bhutto called on military ruler Pervez Musharraf to resign as president and army chief. It was the first time she has urged General Musharraf to quit altogether.
The two leaders have held talks in recent months, trying to negotiate a power sharing deal favored by the United States.
But Ms. Bhutto said with General Musharraf's show of force under emergency rule, she could never serve as prime minister under him. She said her opposition party might boycott general elections expected by January ninth.
Ms. Bhutto also said she would pursue a political alliance with another ex-Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif.