BREAKING: Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto Arrested

This is just beginning to break: the Associated Press reports that former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is under house arrest.

Bhutto returned to Pakistan last month and was the target of an assassination attempt in which hundreds of her supporters were killed or wounded.  She had previously been living in exile; her return was with the tacit approval of Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

With Musharraf's suspension of the Pakistani constitution earlier this week and the arrest of the country's chief justice, speculation swirled as to Bhutto's plans: would she support the Musharraf regime and seek a power-sharing arrangement, or oppose the dictatorship?  Over the past twenty-four hours her position became clearer, as she pledged to stage a mass rally protesting the Musharraf regime.  Apparently, the protests, if they are held at all, will have to go on without her.

This is a dangerous time in Pakistan -- and, given Pakistan's status as a nuclear power, potentially dangerous for the rest of the world.

More as it develops.

UPDATE 1:  BBC reports Pakistani officials are denying Bhutto is under arrest; claim her house has been surrounded by troops "for her own safety."

I'm sure that's a great comfort to her.

UPDATE 2:  Reuters is repeating the claim that the cordon around Bhutto's home is for her own protection; quotes a "Bhutto party spokesperson" as saying Bhutto is surrounded but "not under house arrest." (further update: Reuters now reports Bhutto's spokesperson as calling it "virtual house arrest."  Whatever.  If a dictator has you surrounded with troops backed by armor, I'm not sure there's a meaningful distinction).

UPDATE 3:  BBC reports "several thousand" Bhutto supporters have been arrested.  (h/t FishOutofWater -- thanks!)  The Associated Press reports that the Pakistan People's Party places the number arrested at more than 5,000.

UPDATE 4:  Reuters reports the park where the Bhutto rally was to be held is being sealed off by Pakistani police.

Well, there's always the streets ...

UPDATE 5:  According to the Associated Press, armored vehicles are part of the forces surrounding Bhutto's home.

UPDATE 6: The New York Times now says PPP confirms Bhutto is under house arrest, contrary to the prior Reuters reporting.  (h/t noweasels -- thanks!)

UPDATE 7: CNN reports visitors are denied access to Bhutto.  That's an ominous development, if true.  (further update: Bhutto has been seen alive.  She attempted to leave her home but was turned back Pakistani security forces).

UPDATE 8: Backlash?  CNN reports that Pakistani Minister for Political Affairs Amir Muqam narrowly escaped death when a possible suicide bomb destroyed his home, killing four others.

UPDATE 9: Reuters quotes unnamed Pakistani official as saying the detention order against Bhutto has been "withdrawn."  Note, however, that the order was not served until after her house was surrounded by troops.  It is unclear whether the withdrawal of the order has any practical effect on Bhutto's freedom or ability to rally her followers.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The text of Musharaff's declaration suspending the Pakistani constitution.

A Pakistani students' blog chroniclining events in Pakistan.  (h/t wu ming -- thanks!).

BBC analysis assessing the possibility that Bhutto intends to take Musharraf down.

MSNBC interview with Bhutto after the imposition of martial law but before her arrest.

NEWSWEEK article with background information on Pakistan's nuclear program and the threat of unrest.

WaPo on why Osama is loving Musharraf's declaration of martial law.

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OF SPECIAL INTEREST:  Check out The Emergency Telegraph, a publication put together to coordinate information and resistance activities in Pakistan.  (PDF file).