Pervez Musharraf speech

 In a televised speech speech on Pakistan's National Day Saturday, General Musharraf proposed sweeping reforms to ensure public safety. He said Pakistan's intelligence agencies should warn and prevent terror attacks instead of reporting them after they happen.

 His comments came as most American families prepared to leave Pakistan, following last Sunday's grenade attack on a Protestant church in Islamabad, that killed five people, including two Americans.

 On Friday the U.S. State Department ordered the evacuation of all non-essential personnel at American embassies and consulates.

 Meanwhile, dozens of Pakistani opposition leaders were arrested Saturday throughout the country as police prevented rallies calling for the ouster of General Musharraf. The military ruler has refused to allow large demonstrations since earlier this year, when he began a crackdown on Islamic militants.

 The detained opposition leaders are from the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy. Their group was formed in the wake of the 1999 bloodless coup that brought General Musharraf to power.
 
 

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.

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