Crisis in Pakistan - VOA Story

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's suspension of the nation's chief justice has sparked several months of street protests in Pakistan. The outcry against General Musharraf is the strongest public challenge to his presidency since he took power in a bloodless coup eight years ago. It also comes as Pakistan prepares for legislative elections. The future of Musharraf's regime is now in question.

Thousands of protesters demonstrated again Thursday in Lahore, Pakistan in support of the nation's chief justice of the Supreme Court. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf suspended Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in March amid allegations of misconduct.

The suspension has fueled months of street protests, with lawyers and opposition activists who oppose General Musharraf demanding his resignation.

The government has responded by cracking down on lawyers, opposition parties and the media.

During a recent forum about Pakistan's future (Monday, June 18th) in Washington at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, several speakers said General Musharraf must begin accommodating opposing voices to prevent further chaos.

The United States has praised General Musharraf repeatedly, calling him an ally in the war on terror. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte met with the Pakistani president and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz last week. Negroponte offered them U.S. support, but he also urged them to ensure that forthcoming elections are free and fair.

General Musharraf, however, appears unwilling to give up his presidency without a struggle. Under Pakistan's constitution, parliament elects the president.

General Musharraf has drawn criticism for suggesting he would seek re-election from the current parliament, which endorsed him in 2002.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Pakistani
• President
• Pervez
• Musharraf
• protest
• Negroponte

[Redsparklez]

May Allah save our country from enemies outside as well as within! May the name of Islam prevail!! long live Pakistan... Inshahallah!!!!

[yahoovisitor]

By the impeachment of Musharraf new way is paved for revival of judiciary and law. Pakistani Constitution needs to be totally revised by a team of retired judges and senior advocates like Aitzaz Ahsan. No protection is given to any sort of investment eg local property , industry or commercial giving way to Qabza Groups for illegal occupying of rented houses etc. This stops the foreign investors basically from investing here resulting in the economical collapse & devaluation of Pak Rupee.

[mazm1]

Learn lesson from Indian democracy.

[imranchohann]

Go mushrraf go who they support Mility dictator are not sincere with pakistan . in the whole world there is no any logic to rule a state under militry go go mushrraf go

[Islambad01]

Geomush is a family member of musharaf's family.

Those people who got share out of the wealth accumulted in the name of earthquake victims are always going to have a very soft corner for mush.

geomush must be one of those assholes.

[geomush]

And please don't give intelligence people ur stupid reasoning of "it took more than 24 hours". I am sure that drunk aitisaaz ahsaan was driving -30 mph and if it was upt that cheat then he would have made it 36 hrs but tv channels jumped in said stop ur nonsense we have other stories to cover.

[geomush]

24 hrs. What kind of illogical statement is that? That sob choodary is not fighting for justice but for the post of chief justice so that he continues to get his whiskies deliveries. This mf took oath under lfo. the real justice should have resigned at that time i.e. of he found it objectionable. ONE A SOB ALWAYS A SOB!. He is not connecting with masses except for some pml-n supporting lawyers and bunch of taliban supporting extremists.

[geomush]

protestors are few and mostly lawyers compared to pakistan's population. mush has brought freedom in pakistan (public and press) so people have the right to protest against things they don't like. hopefully elections will prove who is really popular.