Breaking: Pakistan to hold election by mid-January

[babylonsister]

Pakistan to hold election by mid-January
Mon Nov 5, 2007 11:37am EST
By Kamran Haider and Augustine Anthony

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Pakistani government said on Monday it would hold a national election by mid-January, as it came under pressure from the United States for imposing emergency rule and detaining lawyers and opposition politicians.

President Pervez Musharraf's decision to suspend the constitution and purge the Supreme Court has unleashed a torrent of international criticism.

U.S. President George W. Bush, who values Musharraf as an ally in his battle against al Qaeda and the Taliban, called for a quick return to civilian rule and the release of hundreds of detainees rounded up since Saturday.

It had been unclear whether parliamentary elections scheduled for January would go ahead, but Attorney General Malik Abdul Qayyum told Reuters:

"It has been decided there would be no delay in the election and by November 15, these assemblies (national and provincial) will be dissolved and elections will be held within the next 60 days."

But it was unclear when Musharraf would lift emergency rule, which he imposed on Saturday, citing a hostile judiciary and rising militancy.

more...

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL0449460320071105

[Igel]

1. Consistent with government press releases.

More than a few have said the elections *were* postponed for up to a year, when all the press releases merely said they were considering postponing them up to a year, but hadn't decided.

Now let's see if they do it. It'd be the final link in the elections set-up Musharraf put in place, elections for the first time for everything from municipal offices to highest office.

[yellowcanine]

2. Elections don't mean squat if Musharraf rigs them again and if the opposition can't campaign without

being thrown in jail. At this point the only way to restore any credibility to the process is if Musharraf resigns from all positions and goes into exile.

[Warpy]

3. Let's see, Bhutto's corruption vs. Musharraff's iron fist

It sounds depressingly familiar to a lot of us.

They should emulate the US, get corruption and oppression in the same package.
:evilgrin:

[Dr.Phool]

4. No problem. Just let Diebold and ES&S count the ballots.

[originalpckelly]

5. Around the same time, monkeys will fly out of my ass to land on the backs of flying pigs.

In other news, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said he was excited to leave office in 2009 to spend more time with his grandchildren.

[Javaman]

6. Saying and doing are two different things. I will believe it when I see it. nt

[spanone]

7. wishful thinking by the bu$hed administration