August 8, 2007 (LPAC)--Late this evening indications began to emerge that there may be a hot breaking development in Pakistan as soon as overnight. We are watching this situation closely and will report on developments as they occur. According to the Pakistani private TV Geo News, based in Islamabad, a high-level meeting took place in the early part of Wednesday (Aug. 8) night, presided over by President Musharraf. At that meeting, a decision has been reached to declare emergency on Aug. 9, a source told the Geo TV. Subsequently, Pakistan Muslim League (QA) president Chaudhry Shujaat reportedly said while talking to women parliamentarians of the party, during a reception which was hosted by him at his residence, that emergency is likely to be declared.

If the emergency is declared, it is likely that it would be for one month, and could later be extended to three months. The reason for imposing the state of emergency will be the general deterioration of political situation within Pakistan.

The reason that many Pakistanis anticipate a state of emergency will be declared on Aug. 9, or sometime soon, is based on a number of recent developments, including the fact that Pakistan is due for general elections in October. President Musharraf is under pressure from the United States to give up his uniform and accommodate Benazir Bhutto as the Prime Minister. This would create a serious political crisis within the faction that has backed President Musharraf over the years.

Secondly, President Bush's meeting with the Afghan President Karzai at Camp David over the last weekend made it evident to President Musharraf, and the majority section of the Pakistani Army that backs him, that the United States is no longer willing to jeopardize Karzai, and the Afghan situation, at the behest of President Musharraf.

In other words, President Bush, who to a large extent protected Musharraf from the hostile intents of the Cheney cabal, cannot, and will not, protect him any longer. As a result, Pakistan's tribal agencies, where many jihadists are harbored, will be subjected to a full-scale military attack. President Bush would insist on an attack launched by the Pakistani Army as his first choice. If the Pakistani Army hedges on that, the United States and the NATO will not waste any time and would move in. President Musharraf and the Pakistani Army know that such an invasion could unleash a bloody civil war within Pakistan, eventually leading to another break-up.