DATE=5/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232958
TITLE=PAK EMERGENCY (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:   PAKISTAN'S PRESIDENT RAFIQ TARAR HAS DECLARED A STATE OF
EMERGENCY IN THE COUNTRY AND HAS SUSPENDED PART OF THE
CONSTITUTION.  AS V-O-A'S ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL
REPORTS -- THE MOVE COMES HOURS AFTER PAKISTAN CONDUCTED FIVE
NUCLEAR TESTS.

TEXT:  THE OFFICIAL PAKISTAN NEWS AGENCY (APP) SAYS PRESIDENT 
RAFIQ TARAR HAS ANNOUNCED A STATE OF EMERGENCY CITING "THE THREAT
BY EXTERNAL AGGRESSION TO THE SECURITY OF PAKISTAN." ISLAMABAD IS
ACCUSING INDIA OF THREATENING TO ATTACK ITS NUCLEAR 
INSTALLATIONS.
 
THE STATE OF EMERGENCY SUSPENDS PART OF PAKISTAN'S CONSTITUTION 
AND LEGAL SYSTEM.  THE NEWS AGENCY REPORTS THE PRESIDENT HAS 
SUSPENDED SECTIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEEING FUNDAMENTAL 
HUMAN RIGHTS.  THESE INCLUDE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF 
MOVEMENT, FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY.
 
THE NEWS AGENCY ALSO REPORTS PRESIDENT TARAR HAS SUSPENDED 
VARIOUS RIGHTS DEALING WITH FOREIGN EXCHANGE.  THE PRESIDENT HAS 
REPORTEDLY SUSPENDED THE RIGHT TO SELL,WITHDRAW OR TRANSFER 
FOREIGN CURRENCY.  THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION COMES SOON AFTER 
PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF ANNOUNCED THE COUNTRY HAS 
CONDUCTED FIVE NUCLEAR TESTS.   (SIGNED)


NEB/MB/PT

28-May-98 5:15 PM EDT (2115 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.