BBC : Imran Khan begins hunger strike

Imran Khan begins hunger strike

By Chris Morris | BBC News, Islamabad | November 19, 2007

Pakistani opposition politician Imran Khan - who has been imprisoned under Pakistan's state of emergency - has begun a hunger strike, his family says.

Hafizullah Khan said his cousin Imran was in good spirits in a prison in southern Punjab but would be taking no food or water for an indefinite period.

The former cricketer is demanding the restoration of the constitution.

He also wants the reinstatement of judges who have been sacked since the state of emergency was declared.

According to his family, Imran Khan is being kept in solitary confinement after being charged under anti-terrorism legislation.

General Pervez Musharraf - who imposed the state of emergency more than two weeks ago - has said several times that political activists who have been arrested in the last few days will soon be released.

But that may not apply to Imran Khan because of the nature of the charges against him.