Pak EC confirms Musharraf as president
Sunday, 25 November 2007
ISLAMABAD, Nov 24(Agencies): Despite their protests that parliamentary elections will be a sham, Pakistan's political opposition seemed to be lining up for a chance to take part - with one former prime minister readying her candidates and another taking steps to return from exile.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) will contest the January 8 general elections."We will not boycott the election. We will not give them an open field," Bhutto told reporters in Karachi.
Nawaz Sharif, one of Musharraf's most strident political foes, may contest parliamentary elections scheduled for January.
" Sharif and other members of his family are coming back to Lahore t Sunday," said Sadique al-Farooq, a senior leader of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's election commission confirmed Saturday that military ruler Pervez Musharraf won last month's presidential election, giving him another five years in office.
Officials said it sent notification of the result to the government, which must still formally declare Musharraf as the incoming president.
Another report adds, Militants struck at the heart of Pakistan's security establishment Saturday, killing up to 35 people in suicide attacks on a checkpoint outside army headquarters and a bus carrying intelligence agency employees, officials said.
The suicide attacks came as Pakistan remained under a state of emergency, which Musharraf declared on Nov. 3, justifying it by citing the escalating danger posed by Islamic extremists. His critics have noted, however, that many of his moves have been against political opponents - including members of the judiciary, journalists and other moderates.
The two suicide attackers struck just before 8 a.m. in Rawalpindi, a garrison city just south of the capital, Islamabad, as employees were arriving for work.
Meanwhile Bhutto said the PPP candidates have been asked to file the nomination papers after registering their protest over other Opposition parties' reluctance to reach agreement on boycotting general elections.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) will contest the January 8 general elections."We will not boycott the election. We will not give them an open field," Bhutto told reporters in Karachi.
Nawaz Sharif, one of Musharraf's most strident political foes, may contest parliamentary elections scheduled for January.
" Sharif and other members of his family are coming back to Lahore t Sunday," said Sadique al-Farooq, a senior leader of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N party.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's election commission confirmed Saturday that military ruler Pervez Musharraf won last month's presidential election, giving him another five years in office.
Officials said it sent notification of the result to the government, which must still formally declare Musharraf as the incoming president.
Another report adds, Militants struck at the heart of Pakistan's security establishment Saturday, killing up to 35 people in suicide attacks on a checkpoint outside army headquarters and a bus carrying intelligence agency employees, officials said.
The suicide attacks came as Pakistan remained under a state of emergency, which Musharraf declared on Nov. 3, justifying it by citing the escalating danger posed by Islamic extremists. His critics have noted, however, that many of his moves have been against political opponents - including members of the judiciary, journalists and other moderates.
The two suicide attackers struck just before 8 a.m. in Rawalpindi, a garrison city just south of the capital, Islamabad, as employees were arriving for work.
Meanwhile Bhutto said the PPP candidates have been asked to file the nomination papers after registering their protest over other Opposition parties' reluctance to reach agreement on boycotting general elections.