ISLAMABAD, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Co-Chairman of
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday said he would not
become prime minister of Pakistan, local TV channel DAWN NEWS reported.
Addressing a news conference here, Zardari said that
the PPP held a central executive committee meeting on Wednesday and the meeting
decided he would not be the prime ministerial candidate.
Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain
opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, casts his ballot inside a polling
station in Nawabshah, 320 km (200 miles) from Karachi, Feb. 18,
2008. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo) Photo
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Zardari
also demanded the release of judges and lawyers who were deposed after President
Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on Nov. 3 last year.
Zardari disclosed that the PPP would want to form a
coalition government with the Mutahida Qaumi Movement.
The general elections of Pakistan were held on Feb.
18. Initial results showed that PPP had won the largest number of National
Assembly seats, which made it entitled to form the next government.
The PPP has ruled out the possibility of cooperation
with the former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, saying they are in
contact with other parties mainly Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, on the formation
of government.
Zardari said the media played an important role in
the country and should be given more freedom.
Zardari and Bhutto's 19-year-old son Bilawal was
named the Chairman of PPP following the assassination of the former Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi on December 27. Bilawal is currently
studying at Oxford while his father, as PPP Co-Chairman, is looking after the
party affairs till he completes his education.
LAHORE, Pakistan, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Nawaz Sharif will not be the prime minister or take any ministerial post in the new government, Saif Qureshi, Political Convenor of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) said on Wednesday.
In an interview at Sharif's residence in Pakistan's second largest city of Lahore, Qureshi told Xinhua that the PML-N is likely to form a governing coalition with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) which had taken the lead in the nation's legislative election. Full story
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf
addresses the nation in Islamabad Jan. 2, 2008. Musharraf Thursday denied
allegations that the military was involved in the killing of opposition
leader Benazir Bhutto.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)(Xinhua/Reuters
Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez
Musharraf on Wednesday emphasized the need for harmonious coalition in the
interest of peaceful governance, development and progress of Pakistan, a
statement issued by the Foreign Office said.
Musharraf made the remarks when he met with U.S.
Congressman Elton Gallegly in Rawalpindi on Wednesday and discussed with him on
Pakistan-U.S. relations and recent political developments in the country
including the Feb. 18 elections. Full story
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Co-Chairman of Pakistan
People's Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari said Tuesday contacts were under way with
all parties, primarily with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on the
formation of a coalition government.
Addressing a news conference at the Zardari House in
Islamabad, Zardari said PPP would join hands with democratic forces. He said
dialogue with all parties would be in the interest of strengthening democracy in
the country. Full story
Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf
talks to the U.S. Senators John Kerry (2nd L), Joseph Biden and Chuck
Hagel (L) in Islamabad Feb. 19, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Pervez
Musharraf Tuesday said he hoped the new post-election scenario would move in a
positive direction and the new government would work in a harmonious manner with
all the stakeholders.
Talking to a delegation of U.S. Senators Joseph Biden,
John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, here at the President's House, Musharraf said that
his unswerving commitment to democracy was once again vindicated by holding of
free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in the country. Full story
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on
Tuesday that whoever wins Pakistan's parliamentary vote should work with
President Pervez Musharraf and other political parties.
"We certainly would hope that whoever becomes prime
minister, and whoever winds up in charge of the new government, would be able to
work with him (Musharraf) and to work with all other factions," State Department
deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. Full story
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Former Pakistani prime
minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif said
Tuesday that his party would hold a parliamentary party meeting on Thursday.
Speaking at a news briefing in Lahore, capital city of
Punjab province, Sharif said he would also meet Asif Zardari, Co-Chairmanof
People's Party (PPP) after the parliamentary party meeting. Full story
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Latest incomplete results
of Pakistan's elections on Tuesday show that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) takes
the lead by winning 77 out of the 228 National Assembly seats, which have gone
to candidates.
So far 228 out of 269 NA seats have been announced, local
TV channel Geo reported, adding that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was
the runner-up with 62 seats and former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid
gained 34 seats. Full story
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States said
Tuesday that it will continue to work with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
and whoever wins Pakistan's parliamentary election.
"We are going to continue our work with President
Musharraf and whatever that new government may be on goals of our national
interests," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. Full story
ISLAMABAD, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Initial unofficial results
of Pakistan's general elections show that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
is leading while the counting of votes is still continuing on Tuesday.
As of the filing of this story, PML-N, led by former
prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has already won 54 seats in National Assembly (NA),
followed by Pakistan People's Party which won 52 NA seats, local TV channel Geo
reported. Full story
