Imran Khan begins hunger strike in jail

Detained Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan went on hunger strike on Monday to protest against President Pervez Musharraf's dismissal of judges after he imposed emergency rule, a spokesman said.

Khan planned to continue fasting until all judges sacked after the emergency was imposed on November 3 were reinstated, said his spokesman, Hafeezullah Khan Niazi.

"I met him in jail today and he said he is going on hunger strike because there is no other way to protest," Niazi said.

"He looked very committed and vowed that he'll go on with the hunger strike until his demand is met."

Khan, who heads his own small party and is a vocal critic of Musharraf, was arrested last week after emerged from hiding to lead a student protest against emergency rule.

In imposing the emergency, army chief Musharraf suspended the constitution, purged the Supreme Court of judges deemed hostile to him, rounded up thousands of opponents and curbed the media.

He cited meddling judges hampering efforts in the war on terrorism but analysts say his main aim was to purge the Supreme Court of judges he feared were about to annul his re-election as president.

On Monday, the Supreme Court, now packed with government-friendly judges, dismissed the main challenges to his October 6 re-election by legislators.