Pakistan's Bhutto issues Musharraf ultimatum

Former premier Benazir Bhutto Wednesday urged Pakistanis to hold mass protests against a state of emergency declared by President Pervez Musharraf, setting up a showdown with the military ruler.

Bhutto vowed to hold a rally in the garrison town of Rawalpindi on Friday despite police threats of a crackdown, and called for a "long march" on November 13 from Lahore to the capital if Musharraf does not back down.

Police tear-gassed and baton-charged hundreds of Bhutto's supporters outside the parliament building in Islamabad minutes after she spoke, an AFP reporter witnessed. At least three were arrested.

"I appeal to the people of Pakistan to come forward. We are under attack," Bhutto told a news conference after holding talks with other opposition leaders in Islamabad.

The two-time premier said that key US ally Musharraf must restore the constitution, announce the date of elections due in January and quit his role as chief of the powerful army by November 15. Raw Story