More than 3,000 people jailed in Pakistan under emergency rule have been released in recent days, the Interior Ministry said today.

Pakistani authorities began releasing some of the thousands of opposition supporters detained since emergency rule was imposed earlier this month, officials said today.

Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s government called a meeting today to discuss a timetable for parliamentary elections.

President General Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan today ahead of a crucial Supreme Court decision on whether to overturn his recent election win and amid rising militant violence.

Riot police arrested dozens of opposition activists protesting against President General Pervez Musharraf today as Pakistan's Supreme Court dismissed two legal challenges to his re-election bid.

Police manned roadblocks and rounded up supporters of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today as he prepared to end seven years in exile and return to Pakistan to lead a campaign to topple the country’s US-allied military ruler.

Pakistan’s government today urged exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not to return home, saying he should honour a promise he made to stay away after being ousted from power.

A court today ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s brother, three days before the siblings are to return to Pakistan to challenge President Gen Pervez Musharraf, a lawyer said.