Pakistan Politics: A Family Affair

(NEWSER) - Pakistan’s government began cracking down on the opposition today in ways reminiscent of deposed dictator Pervez Musharraf, the New York Times reports. Police arrested hundreds of political workers today, and the government banned a protest national march scheduled for tomorrow, declaring that demonstrators wouldn’t be allowed into Islamabad. Organizer Nawaz Sharif says the march will go ahead anyway, and many fear violence could erupt. More»

Political infighting may cause more instability

(NEWSER) - Pakistan’s supreme court refused today to let opposition leader Nawaz Sharif or his brother hold elected office, prompting fears of political infighting that could further destabilize the country, the BBC reports. President Asif Ali Zardari immediately moved to dismiss the provincial government in Punjab led by Sharif’s brother Shahbaz, the Wall Street Journal adds; Nawaz Sharif called for nationwide protests. More»

Ex-speaker once went to jail to avoid cutting deal with Musharraf

(NEWSER) - The party of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto named Yusuf Raza Gillani as its pick for prime minister of Pakistan today, the BBC reports. He is virtually guaranteed to be voted in Tuesday but won’t be PM for long, analysts say. The ex-speaker is expected to step down as soon as Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's widower, is eligible for the job. More»

Top Taliban leader and others accused of plotting assassination

(NEWSER) - Police in Pakistan have filed charges against five men, including the country’s top Taliban commander, accusing them of planning the December assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the AP reports. President Pervez Musharaff had named the Taliban leader (and suspected al-Qaeda operative), Baitullah Mehsud, days after the attack, but today’s formal accusation led a judge to issue warrants for his and his co-conspirators’ arrest. More»

Former leader intends to return next week

(NEWSER) - A Pakistan court has ordered the arrest of Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Both Sharifs are planning to return to Pakistan next week after seven years of exile, where they will mount opposition to the rule of General Pervez Musharraf. Musharraf has been ordering the detention of hundreds of Sharif supporters in an attempt to crack down on big welcome rallies. More»