Judges freed as Bhutto loyalist becomes Pakistan's PM
March 24, 2008 at 9:22 AM EDT
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's National Assembly elected as prime minister on Monday Yousaf Raza Gilani, a top official in assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's party, five weeks after it won a general election. He quickly ordered the immediate release of all judges detained by President Pervez Musharraf after the imposition of emergency rule in November.
The announcement triggered cheers and shouts of "Long Live Bhutto" from supporters in the visitors' gallery. Ms. Bhutto's son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was also in the gallery and was seen wiping away a tear.
Bhutto party supporters also chanted "Go, Musharraf, go."
Mr. Musharraf, who came to power as a general following a coup in 1999, on Monday assured full support to the incoming government and hoped it would maintain "political peace" and continue the fight against Islamist militants.
He has been politically isolated since the defeat of his allies in last month's election and there is speculation that his old foes now set to form a government will try to force him from power.
The United States and other Western allies fear political instability in their nuclear-armed ally, which is already facing a campaign of attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, if there is confrontation between the president and the new government.
Mr. Musharraf will swear in Mr. Gilani on Tuesday. He is expected to begin naming ministers to his cabinet this week.
Full article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...rnational/home
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As far as I recall, Musharraf wasn't going to leave yet. So, what will happen to him?
It will be interesting to watch how and if the US will react.
March 24, 2008 at 9:22 AM EDT
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's National Assembly elected as prime minister on Monday Yousaf Raza Gilani, a top official in assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's party, five weeks after it won a general election. He quickly ordered the immediate release of all judges detained by President Pervez Musharraf after the imposition of emergency rule in November.
The announcement triggered cheers and shouts of "Long Live Bhutto" from supporters in the visitors' gallery. Ms. Bhutto's son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was also in the gallery and was seen wiping away a tear.
Bhutto party supporters also chanted "Go, Musharraf, go."
Mr. Musharraf, who came to power as a general following a coup in 1999, on Monday assured full support to the incoming government and hoped it would maintain "political peace" and continue the fight against Islamist militants.
He has been politically isolated since the defeat of his allies in last month's election and there is speculation that his old foes now set to form a government will try to force him from power.
The United States and other Western allies fear political instability in their nuclear-armed ally, which is already facing a campaign of attacks by al Qaeda-inspired militants, if there is confrontation between the president and the new government.
Mr. Musharraf will swear in Mr. Gilani on Tuesday. He is expected to begin naming ministers to his cabinet this week.
Full article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...rnational/home
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As far as I recall, Musharraf wasn't going to leave yet. So, what will happen to him?
It will be interesting to watch how and if the US will react.
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