Artful Dodger Returns: Asif Ali Zardari voted Pakistan President for second term

Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Pakistan's late first female Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, whose life was equal parts tragedy and farce, was on Saturday elected president for the second time. Initially a background character as Bhutto's wife, Zardari was tainted by corruption and other allegations, including absurd kidnapping plots and bribery over trinkets. Despite […]

America is in favor of freedom of assembly in view of Pakistan elections

The United States called on Monday for respect for freedom of assembly as Pakistani authorities warned they would ban protests by supporters of jailed Prime Minister Imran Khan following his bloc’s surprise election victory. Asked about Pakistani police’s use of the colonial-era law against public gatherings, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, “We want […]

Uncertainty in Pakistan after inconclusive elections

Pakistan will face weeks of political uncertainty after an inconclusive election, with results from dozens of constituencies facing court challenges and rival parties negotiating possible alliances, analysts said on Monday. Independent candidates loyal to jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan won a majority of seats in Thursday’s elections, reducing the chances of the military-backed Pakistan […]

Pakistan election deadlock: tussle between parties over premiership, allegations of rigging rejected

“Both sides are interested in forming an alliance, but there has been no breakthrough yet. Both parties want the post of prime minister,” a senior PML-N leader close to the Sharif family told Reuters on condition of anonymity. PML-N has not named its prime ministerial candidate. However, the PML-N source said it was ‘very likely’ […]

Pakistan Police threatens action on Imran Khan’s party’s call for election protest

Pakistan police warned on Sunday that they would crack down heavily on illegal gatherings after jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party urged supporters to protest alleged rigging in last week’s election. Independent candidates – most of whom are associated with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party – secured the most seats in the election, increasing […]