InfoAnda - Pakistan opposition chief warns of dangerous chaos

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

PM takes finance portfolio in new Ivorian government | | 22 November 2012
Singer Tony Martin dies at age 98 | | 31 July 2012
Toshiba to build new NAND chip plant: media | | 4 April 2012

Toyota surprises with profit, boosts forecast | 6 November 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Pakistan opposition chief warns of dangerous chaos

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Pakistan opposition chief warns of dangerous chaos By KATHY GANNON,Associated Press Writer AP - Saturday, February 28 LAHORE, Pakistan - With his supporters rioting for a third day, opposition leader Nawaz Sharif blamed Pakistan's government Friday for the political turmoil set off by a court order barring him from elected office _ unrest that he warned could be exploited by Islamic extremists. ADVERTISEMENT Giving his first interview since the ruling Wednesday, Sharif accused President Asif Ali Zardari of "declaring martial law on democracy," a charge echoing the complaints that forced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to give up the presidency last year. Sharif's interview with The Associated Press came amid a surge of political squabbling that is sure to distract the government of this nuclear-armed country from grappling with the Taliban and al-Qaida threat spreading from the tribal areas along the frontier with Afghanistan. Pakistan also is in the middle of a tense time with neighboring India over the deadly militant attack on Mumbai, and Sharif said Zardari's pro-Western government isn't going to be able to face any of its key tasks if it continues to wage political war on him. "It cannot concentrate on the very big issues we are confronted with," he said. "We have issues going on in the tribal area, we have this big issue in the Swat area, and we have a very ugly situation on our eastern border after the Bombay (Mumbai) killings." The political uproar set off by the court ruling against Sharif is lining up influential civic groups led by disgruntled lawyers with Sharif's increasingly popular Pakistan Muslim League against Zardari. It's a confrontation that will also feed worries about military intervention, a frequent result of political turmoil in Pakistan. "I think we are heading for some sort of unfortunate situation," Sharif said at his villa near Lahore, without elaborating. "There are a lot of forces _ the militants, the extremists _ they are all there to take advantage." The Supreme Court ruling upheld a ban on Sharif from contesting elections because of a past criminal conviction related to the 1999 military coup that ended his second term as prime minister and put Musharraf in power. Sharif's brother also was disqualified from continuing as head of the provincial government in Punjab, the nation's biggest and most populous region. Zardari ousted the government there and installed a loyalist as governor. Other critics have alleged that Zardari influenced the Supreme Court decision to neutralize Sharif and consolidate the power of his own party, which holds a majority in the national Parliament. His supporters deny he had any role in the ruling. Former President George W. Bush's administration often referred to Sharif's party as more religious than secular. But Sharif insisted in the interview that his party is democratic and eschews the politics of extremism. He said his party was the driving force behind improved relations with India before he was ousted by Musharraf's coup. Although American officials have expressed no public worries about this week's turmoil, the U.S. representative in the Punjab capital of Lahore visited Sharif's villa within hours of the court decision. Sharif's spokesmen declined to give details of the private meeting, and U.S. officials would not comment. An experienced operator in Pakistan's hard-fought politics, Sharif already had urged his supporters to take to the streets to press for the return of the Supreme Court chief justice who was removed by Musharraf in 2007. Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry had questioned the legality of Musharraf's presidency as well as a deal that quashed corruption allegations against Zardari and his wife, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated before last year's elections. Chaudhry's ouster inspired Pakistan's largely secular civic groups to stage months of demonstrations that eventually pressured Musharraf to step down as the United States distanced itself from him. Sharif predicts a similar outpouring of support from lawyers and other groups to back his party, which is the country's second largest political movement and which worked in an uneasy alliance with Zardari's bloc to push out Musharraf. After the interview, thousands of Sharif supporters thronged peacefully along Lahore's main boulevard, waving his party's green flags and chanting "Go, Zardari, go!" Rioting flared elsewhere for a third consecutive day, with police swinging batons and firing tear gas at stone-throwing youths among hundreds of people who blocked the six-lane highway between the capital, Islamabad, and the nearby city of Rawalpindi. Protesters tore down advertising billboards, smashed street lights and blocked traffic with burning tires. "If anybody thinks that they can make politics without Nawaz Sharif in this country, he is very much mistaken," said Raja Nasir Mahfoz, a middle-aged man in the crowd. Paramilitary police carrying assault rifles stood guard along the highway, where traffic was halted for hours, but didn't intervene. Police official Saqib Sultan said about 10 people were arrested. There were no reports of injuries. Analysts say the political infighting will probably bog down Pakistan's ruling elite, leaving it unable to focus on improving the conditions for its mainly poor 170 million people. Debilitating power struggles in the 1990s between Sharif and Zardari's slain wife, Bhutto, helped drive Pakistan to the brink of bankruptcy and paved the way for Musharraf's 1999 coup. Without referring to his role in the current crisis, Sharif echoed those fears. "Pakistan is facing big problems ... now the pressures are mounting on Pakistan," he said. Ties between Sharif and Zardari have worsened in recent months. Their shaky alliance foundered soon after Zardari became president, when he reneged on a promise to reinstate the ousted Supreme Court chief justice. Sharif said there would be no reconciliation with Zardari unless he reinstates Chaudhry. "It was Mr. Musharraf who declared martial law on the judges, the judiciary and on parliament, and it is now Mr. Zardari who has declared martial law on democracy," Sharif said. He alleged Zardari did not want to see Chaudhry back in the Supreme Court out of fear he would re-examine the old corruption cases. "Mr. Zardari's agenda is in contrast with the national agenda," he said. ___ Associated Press writer Babar Dogar in Lahore contributed to this report. (This version CORRECTS Corrects sectarian to secular in graf 15) Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (1 vote) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Tensions high after Tibetan monk reportedly shot in ChinaAFP - 55 minutes ago Rights activists barred from talks with ASEAN leadersAFP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago Sri Lanka military says it killed 9 rebelsAP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago US-China wrap up resumed military consulationsAP - 1 hour 10 minutes ago China approves food safety law: state mediaAFP - 1 hour 15 minutes ago Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed RBS posts record British loss, offloads toxic assets Obama drives reform with 3.55-trillion-dollar budget Supermodel Bundchen ties knot with football star Brady Citigroup, US Treasury reach deal on government stake Japan faces deepening recession View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Saturday, 28 February 2009
Fidel Castro walks in Havana streets, Chavez says | International |
U.S. says Mexico makes progress against drug cartels | International |
Afghan FM urges U.S. to engage with Iran on conflict | International |
Karadzic to make plea after prosecutors file indictment | International |
Hariri to shun unity Lebanon govt if Hezbollah wins poll | International |
Russia blames OSCE for not preventing Georgia war | International |
Obama In Favor Of Giving Marijuana Jurisdiction To States
Wells Fargo Suspends Executive Bonuses On Weak 2008 Performance
Update: Obama Says U.S. Combat Mission In Iraq Ends August 2010
Curious Octopus Opens Control Valve, Floods Aquarium
Tennessee Convenience Store Manager Behind Bars After Officers Find Pot Farm In Office
ACLU Praises Senate Panel For 'Unprecedented Review' Of CIA Interrogation Program
Memphis Teen Sisters Fight Off Attacker; Man Jailed For Soliciting Rape, Aggravated Assault
Private Crichton College Bucks Trend Announces Tuition Decrease
Obama To Meet With Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd About Afghanistan, Economy
Sears To Close 24 More Stores Following Drop In Q4 Earnings
Ed McMahon ill with pneumonia | Entertainment |
Jonas Bros. movie may foretell an end to innocence | Entertainment |
Leonardo Codex reveals youthful self-portrait | Entertainment |
Mugabe To Hold Lavish Party For 85th Birthday
Curious Octopus Opens Control Valve, Floods Aquarium
Greenpeace Urges U.S. To Shift To Recycled Material For Toilet Paper
Tennessee Convenience Store Manager Behind Bars After Officers Find Pot Farm In Office
Memphis Teen Sisters Fight Off Attacker; Man Jailed For Soliciting Rape, Aggravated Assault
Obama sets firm date to end Iraq war he inherited
Bangladesh army reaffirms support for government | International |
U.N. prosecutor pledges to pursue Hariri case to end
Jodie Foster Caught Speeding By Police And Reality TV Crew
Turkish pilots say turbulence likely reason for crash | International |
US troops say Iraqis ready for Obama timetable
Iraqi doctors treat the wounded in Jordan
Mexico's Pemex declares 7 bln dollar loss
FACT CHECK: Obama's changing Iraq timetable
Activists warn US lawmakers of uranium mining perils
U.S. citizen stabbed in Cairo tourist area | International |
Gates prefers small US force in Iraq after 2012
US government takes up 36 percent of Citi
U.N. prosecutor pledges to pursue Hariri case to end | International |
Netanyahu and Livni fail to agree on coalition
US economy shrinks stunning 6.2 percent
U.S. pairs B-2 bombers, F-22s in Guam for first time | International |
Supermodel Bundchen ties knot with football star Brady
Lebanon rejects freeing suspects in Hariri killing
Iraq appeals for foreign oil expertise
Hill to be new US ambassador in Iraq
Amazon to allow disabling of Kindle 2 audio | Technology |
Louisiana FEMA Chief Reassigned Amid Staff Complaints
US will not take part in UN racism conference: officials
No More Medical Marijuana Raids For DEA
Obama: U.S. Troops Won't Stay Long In Afghanistan
New US envoy to Iraq is shrewd, tackles thorniest issues
US-TECH Summary
Schwarzenegger Places Drought-Stricken California Under State Of Emergency
Obama pledges no long-term Afghan designs
Obama Fan Under Arrest For Mailing HIV-tainted Blood To President, Aide
Amazon to allow disabling of Kindle 2 audio
Obama says no 'long-term' Afghan presence
UPS CEO: Free Trade Is Bailout To Economic Crisis
Hearst plans electronic reader for magazines: report
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 588
Feb 27 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy
Yahoo paid $79 million to financial advisers
James Dobson Stepping Down As Focus On Family Chairman
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,252
Wall Street Slides On GDP Data, Citi Concerns
'Couldn't care less' about meeting Obama: Chavez
Brazil-based militant makes case against Italy extradition
Chavez clashes with US on human rights
Amsterdam air crash dead identified
Suspected al Qaeda operative charged in U.S. court
Rihanna and Chris Brown reported back together | Entertainment |
Jennifer Hudson calls music therapy after family deaths | Entertainment |
Lionel Richie still on the Go after 30 years | Entertainment |
Publishers dust off vintage songs for new audiences | Entertainment |
Singer Allison Iraheta a child of Idol | Entertainment |
China approves food safety law: state media
ASEAN to sign discounted oil deal: official
Malaysia reverses move to raise tolls amid protest
Sri Lanka troops enter last rebel stronghold: military
Tibetan monk reportedly sets self on fire, shot
Hollywood team in Iran on cultural exchange
China, US begin day two of military talks
Oscar-winner Penn hopes to take 'Milk' to White House
ASEAN plans early warning system
Micron makes offer to Taiwan's ailing DRAM
Banderas to join Freida Pinto in new Woody Allen pic
SEAsian human rights body lacks powers: draft
Pakistani cenbank sells 10 bln rupees of T-bills
Pakistan opposition chief warns of dangerous chaos
Thai Airways posts huge loss in 2008
ASEAN plans early warning system to avoid conflict
Nissan to cut costs by skipping some auto shows
Thai, Cambodian PMs meet as border tension eases
World-famous British restaurant shuts in poisoning scare
Sony centers power at top in Stringer
Bruce Willis being sued for $4 million
Chinese officials grapple with slowdown in south
France's Cesars hail "Seraphine" best film
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Publishers dust off vintage songs for new audiences
Source: Ed McMahon hospitalized with bone cancer
Rihanna and Chris Brown reported back together
Lionel Richie still on the "Go" after 30 years
Singer Allison Iraheta a child of "Idol"
Reports: Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen married
No More Medical Marijuana Raids For DEA
U.K. Police Hunting 'Radioactive' Principal Wanted For Child Pornography
Obama Fan Under Arrest For Mailing HIV-tainted Blood To President, Aide
Workshop explosion injures 6 in Turkey
Pakistan says wins key region on Afghan border | International |
British-Tunisian journalist held in Sudan
Man held in Cairo stabbing had attacked before: agency | International |
Rocket fired from Gaza reportedly hits Israeli school
Volkswagen to cut all temporary staff
Consensus emerges in Congress for Obama Iraq plan
Mugabe says Zimbabwe land seizures will continue | International |
Pakistan in key victory over Taliban in Bajaur
Ban calls for closer Congo-U.N. collaboration | International |
Iraq's ailing farm sector more crucial than ever
Abbas, Hamas signal first dispute over unity talks | International |
ASEAN agrees measures to ease economic crisis: draft | International |
At least 37 still missing in Australia fires: army | International |
Japan foreign minister flies into Chinese storm | International |
U.N. urges Somalis overseas to back peace process | International |
American in Egypt attacked near bomb site
Drought Prompts Schwarzenegger To Declare State Of Emergency
Depeche Mode debuts season-pass model on iTunes | Technology |
Thailand's exiled ex-leader cancels Hong Kong talk
Pakistan general says Taliban 'lost' border region
Second mass grave found after Bangladesh revolt
Japan FM in China for talks
NKorea warns again of conflict on Korean peninsula
Japanese foreign minister in China for talks
US praises China anti-piracy role off Somalia
Malaysian police detain 17 ethnic Indian activists
10 more bodies found at Bangladesh mutiny site
Hong Kong actress enraged by leaked sex photos
Haring or not, huge painting on sale for 99 cents
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01