Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Pakistan's New Parliament Sworn In

Coalition set for a showdown with Musharraf

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 17, 2008 11:31 AM CDT

(Newser) – Pakistan's newly anti-Musharraf National Assembly was sworn in today, a month after politicians hostile to the president swept the general election. The new coalition has promised to reinstate the judges that the president booted when he declared a state of emergency in November. These judges would likely challenge the validity of Musharraf's reelection in October, reports Reuters.

The new Assembly took their oaths on an old version of the constitution from before Musharraf amended it under emergency rule. "We have sent this message that democracy should be helped and democracy is the last day of dictatorship," said Asif Ali Zardari, head of Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party—which has yet to name a prime minister candidate.

Newly elected lawmakers arrive at Parliament House to attend the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.
Newly elected lawmakers arrive at Parliament House to attend the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Pakistani police officers take positions outside the Parliament House prior to the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.
Pakistani police officers take positions outside the Parliament House prior to the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Asif Ali Zardari chats with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif prior to the National assembly's first session on Monday, March 17, 2008.
Asif Ali Zardari chats with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif prior to the National assembly's first session on Monday, March 17, 2008.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne