Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf reportedlyconsidered the option of imposing emergency to tide over the security andpolitical problems that seems to have engulfed Pakistan, a report here said yesterday(Feb 4, 2007).

With the growing internal security problems, including a spate of suicidebombings by militants groups, and the possible stand-off with the Oppositionparties ahead of his re-election plans, a proposal to impose emergency isgaining ground,.

The official said the imposition of emergency by the President would be anoption and if the proclamation is endorsed by a joint-sitting of the Parliamentit would automatically extend the term of the National Assembly for a periodnot exceeding one year and not extending, in any case, beyond a period of sixmonths after the proclamation has ceased to be in force.

"The government is privy to secret consultations of the Opposition tolaunch agitation by opting for politics of destruction. In that case, theproclamation of emergency would be a must," the officer said.

However, many of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q, (PML-Q) leaders felt thatthere was no such move in the offing as no such circumstances existed thatcalled for the imposition of emergency, the newspaper said.

There is no official word here yet but a number of ruling and Opposition partyleaders privately believed that with the spate of suicide bombings and anattempt to fuel sectarian strife in the country, the imposition of emergencycould be one of the convenient options for Musharraf, the report said.

Many officials believe that the deteriorating situation presented anopportunity for Musharraf to consolidate his political base with the impositionof emergency.