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November 22, 2008 7:56:33 AM CST

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Pakistan Opposition Leaders Form Ruling Coalition

Posted Feb 21, 08 4:25 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – Pakistan’s two major opposition leaders agreed today to one “common agenda” and will form a coalition government, the BBC reports. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari—widower of Benazir Bhutto and now head of the Pakistan People's Party—called for the immediate reinstatement of Pakistan’s chief justice, signaling the depth of the challenge to President Pervez Musharraf.

Zardari said no members of Musharraf’s party would be asked to join the governing coalition; Sharif has said, in reference to the president, he wants “to rid Pakistan of dictatorship forever.” It remains unclear who will emerge as prime minister from the parties that won the most seats in Monday's election; Zardari said there remained “a lot of ground to cover.”

Sources BBC, New York Times

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Pakistan's Muslim League-N party chief Nawaz Sharif, right, shake hand with Pakistan Peoples Party's co-chairman and husband of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari at a press conference...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's Muslim League-N party chief Nawaz Sharif, center, speaks as Pakistan Peoples Party's co-chairman and husband of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, left, looks on at a...   (Associated Press)
In this picture released by Pakistan Muslim League-N Party, Pakistan's Muslim League-N party chief Nawaz Sharif, second left, holds talks with Pakistan Peoples Party's co-chairman and husband of slain...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's Muslim League-N party chief Nawaz Sharif, right, and Pakistan Peoples Party's co-chairman and husband of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, left, smile at a press conference...   (Associated Press)
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Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Asif Ali Zardari • coalition government


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