Benazir Bhutto, pakistan, pakistan elections, pakistan violence, pakistan voter turnout, Pervez Musharraf, warwire
Benazir Bhutto, pakistan, pakistan elections, pakistan violence, pakistan voter turnout, Pervez Musharraf, warwire

Musharraf's Party Concedes Defeat, Opposition Celebrate Landmark Election Victory

London Times   |  Jeremy Page and Zahid Hussain   |   February 18, 2008 07:37 PM


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President Musharraf's supporters conceded defeat last night in a landmark parliamentary election that could seal his political fate and resurrect democracy in Pakistan after eight years of military rule.

But while the two main opposition parties appeared to have swept the vote, neither was expected to win an outright majority, setting the stage for a coalition government in this chronically unstable country.

Despite 470,000 police and troops on the streets, turnout was only 30 to 40 per cent because of a wave of suicide attacks by Islamic militants since July, including one that killed Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister, on December 27. Voting was relatively peaceful given the security threat -- although Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) claimed 15 members were killed in an attempt to deter voters.


 
 

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- Boobaloo See Profile I'm a Fan of Boobaloo permalink

The moron running this thread, the one deleting peoples comments, Huffpo needs to fire your facist,incompetent ass.

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Lets wait to see how the transition of power goes; there could be a sudden increased 'terrorism' threat required an Emergency lockdown of the country.

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So Moron, was that opinion too inflammatory, too original,too cutting edge to keep up on the comment board?

Horses ass.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:23 PM on 02/19/2008
- Boobaloo See Profile I'm a Fan of Boobaloo permalink

It's not over until it's over.

Lets wait and see how the transition of power goes; there may be a rash of 'Al-queda bombings' that require indefinite Emergency Lock down again.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:28 PM on 02/19/2008
- MagisterLudi See Profile I'm a Fan of MagisterLudi permalink

Here's true model of P-stani political history.

Civilian government robs country blind-Military takes over--West forces gradual transition to civilian rule, civilians begins to rob the country blind....vicious circle.

This government will be no different.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:37 PM on 02/19/2008
- Boobaloo See Profile I'm a Fan of Boobaloo permalink

It's Pakistani. You can write the entire name of the nation.

Your analysis is one dimensional, incorrect and history contradicts your wrong conclusions.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:20 PM on 02/19/2008
- Boobaloo See Profile I'm a Fan of Boobaloo permalink

That's 'Pakistani'.

You can spell the whole nations name Ludi.

Where do you come up with you crap? Is there a Zionist handbook that they dish out at the Synogogue?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:26 PM on 02/19/2008
- Luc65 See Profile I'm a Fan of Luc65 permalink

I would be very careful to celebrate the end of a dictator. We saw what happened in Iraq, even if the events were accelerated by the US invasion, and Pakistan has also a lot of different minorities.

Actually it would not surprise me that the radical muslims take the democracy opportunity handed to them to be elected and take over the country.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:19 PM on 02/19/2008
- vippy See Profile I'm a Fan of vippy permalink

Nellie - they won't address the issues or they will keep right with the PNAC Plan, right on target. Don't expect any changes. We let the only true candidate go and that was Kucinich who abided by the constitution and well, yes, there is Ron Paul.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:49 AM on 02/19/2008
- vippy See Profile I'm a Fan of vippy permalink

Oh SMELLEY ONE - did you see on FOX today where an American Observer pointed to a ballot box and he said that not 50 people had shown up to vote but there were more than 50 votes in the box already. Perhaps, like in 2006, the people came out in droves and voted for the opposition
and the government did not foresee the masses.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:47 AM on 02/19/2008
- OlongapoEd See Profile I'm a Fan of OlongapoEd permalink

I'm surprised that this much was allowed to happen. Perhaps the Army insisted that Musharraf keep his hands off this election. After all, without the support of the army he is toast (well, in the long run he is probably toast anyway). Perhaps the Army (okay, those who run it) expects to retain sufficient control even with most of parliament hostile.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:34 AM on 02/19/2008
- PierreLeClerke See Profile I'm a Fan of PierreLeClerke permalink

The U.S. Gov. participated in the operation to install Musharraf in the first place. The U.S. Gov. handed Billions of $ to this crew to keep them in Power. Who profits and why in this mix? That is enough to question for now, save this last question. Did the "TERRORIST" stand to gain by attempting to prevent the election that everyone knew Musharraf could not win if it were held? Please use basic logic when offering this question to yourself. Maybe the lights will come on, and your enlightenment will guide you on the path the even greater truth.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:47 AM on 02/19/2008
- Tankan See Profile I'm a Fan of Tankan permalink

Now impeach the dictator, get rid of the bad smell!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:10 AM on 02/19/2008
- nellie See Profile I'm a Fan of nellie permalink

We have three major power shifts on the international stage in the past week—Kosovo, Cuba, and Pakistan. I hope the next Democratic debate will cover these issues and give us some idea of how grounded these two candidates really are.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:51 AM on 02/19/2008
- WilliamWallace See Profile I'm a Fan of WilliamWallace permalink

Down goes another Dictator.....right on.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:29 AM on 02/19/2008
- getoffmedz See Profile I'm a Fan of getoffmedz permalink

Time for the U.S. to step up military activity inside Pakistan.

About now.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:05 AM on 02/19/2008
- deke33 See Profile I'm a Fan of deke33 permalink

Now Bush must invade Pakistan to reinstall Mushariff so he could further protect the man that Bush does not want "dead or alive", Osama Bin Laden.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:35 AM on 02/19/2008
- Huffyfan See Profile I'm a Fan of Huffyfan permalink

Aztecmummy
Yes there was support for the taliban to power othewise they would not have lasted a day in power . it is only when they started putting conditions to the Oil Pipes on the caspian sea that they were no longer welcome to Texas (many have been welcome in texas to discuss future prospects ) but they were a little stronger than the usual US puppets you find in the MIDDLE east who bow to America superpower with no questions asked .

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:05 AM on 02/19/2008
- Kalima See Profile I'm a Fan of Kalima permalink

It will be a cold day in hell before democracy,as we
know it, will ever become a reality in Pakistan, However these "baby steps" are at least a step in the right
direction. I doubt that this will quell the bloodshed to
come but at least there might be a lull.

Well done Pakistan! I raise my glass to you and your
people.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:57 AM on 02/19/2008
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