ISLAMABAD , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- Hours after declaring a state of emergency Saturday , Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf ordered troops to take a television station 's equipment and put a popular opposition leader under house arrest . President Pervez Musharraf explains his actions in a televised address Saturday . Musharraf also suspended the constitution and dismissed the Pakistan Supreme Court 's chief justice for the second time . On Sunday , police arrested the Javed Hashmi , the acting president of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif 's opposition party was arrested , along with 10 aides , The Associated Press reported . Hashimi was arrested when he stepped outside his house in the central city of Multan , AP reported . The country is at a critical and dangerous juncture -- threatened by rising tensions and spreading terrorism , Musharraf said in a televised address to the nation after declaring martial law . As Pakistani police patrolled the streets of the capital , Islamabad , Musharraf said his actions were `` for the good of Pakistan . '' Watch Musharraf 's speech » . There was quick condemnation from within and outside his country . The Supreme Court declared the state of emergency illegal , claiming Musharraf -- who also is Pakistan 's military chief -- had no power to suspend the constitution , Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry said . Shortly afterward , government troops came to Chaudhry 's office and told him the president had dismissed him from his job . Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar was quickly appointed to replace him , according to state television . It was the second time Chaudhry was removed from his post . His ousting by Musharraf in March prompted massive protests , and he was later reinstated . See a timeline of upheaval in Pakistan » . Musharraf complained in his speech that the media -- which he made independent -- have not been supportive , but have reported `` negative '' news . Early Sunday , two dozen policemen raided the offices of AAJ-TV in Islamabad , saying they had orders to take the station 's equipment . The government also issued a directive warning the media that any criticism of the president or prime minister would be punishable by three years in jail and a fine of up to $ 70,000 , said Talat Hussain , director of news and current affairs for AAJ . Watch a former Pakistani P.M. call the developments in his country 'disturbing ' » . U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- who is in Turkey for a conference with Iraq and neighboring nations -- said The United States does n't support any extra-constitutional measures taken by Musharraf . `` The situation is just unfolding , '' Rice said . `` But anything that takes Pakistan off the democratic path , off the path of civilian rule is a step backward , and it 's highly regrettable . '' A senior Pakistani official said the emergency declaration will be `` short-lived , '' and will be followed by an interim government . Martial law is only a way to restore law and order , he said . Mahmud Ali Durrani , Pakistan 's ambassador to the United States , agreed . `` I can assure you , he will move on the part of democracy that is promised ... and you will see that happen shortly . '' Musharraf was re-elected president in October , but the election is not yet legally official , because the Supreme Court is hearing constitutional challenges to Musharraf 's eligibility filed by the opposition . Under the constitution , Musharraf could n't run for another term while serving both as president and military leader . The court allowed the election to go ahead , however , saying it would decide the issue later . Some speculated that the declaration of emergency is tied to rumors the court was planning to rule against Musharraf . Musharraf has said repeatedly he will step down as military leader before the next term begins on November 15 and has promised to hold parliamentary elections by January 15 . Meanwhile , popular opposition leader Imran Khan said early Sunday that police surrounded his house in Lahore , barged in and told him he was under house arrest . Musharraf also had Khan placed under house arrest during a government crackdown in March 2006 . Asked about Musharraf 's actions Saturday , Khan said , `` We are going to oppose this in every way . '' `` None of us accept ... this whole drama about emergency . '' Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto -- who arrived in Karachi Saturday from Dubai , where she had gone to visit her family -- described a `` wave of disappointment '' at Musharraf 's actions . Watch crowds surround Bhutto upon her arrival » . Bhutto -- who returned to Pakistan last month after several years in exile -- wants to lift her Pakistan People 's Party to victory in January 's parliamentary election in the hope she can have a third term as prime minister . The nation 's political atmosphere has been tense for months , with Pakistani leaders in August considering a state of emergency because of the growing security threats in the country 's lawless tribal regions . But Musharraf , influenced in part by Rice , held off on the move . Watch a report on the volatile situation in Pakistan » . Musharraf , who led the 1999 coup as Pakistan 's army chief , has seen his power erode since the failed effort to oust Chaudhry . His administration is also struggling to contain a surge in Islamic militancy . E-mail to a friend . Copyright 2007 CNN . All rights reserved.This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed . Associated Press contributed to this report .
NEW : President Musharraf orders troops to destroy a television station 's equipment . Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan says he 's under house arrest . President Musharraf says his actions are for the good of the country . White House calls Pakistan 's military response ` ` disappointing ''