New Pakistani Prime Minister Releases Judges; Meets with U.S. Officials
By Joseph Catapano
March 26, 2008 | Printer Friendly

Recently elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gillani was sworn into office on March 25 by President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad. Gillani, who is leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) - and was chosen overwhelmingly by legislators, took quick action to separate himself from the Musharraf regime by immediately freeing top judges who were detained by the President during his period of emergency rule, which began in November.

According to The New York Times, in addition to releasing the judges the new government will reinstate Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry within 30 days. The judges were dismissed last fall just prior to deciding on the legality of Musharraf’s re-election. Gillani also said he would ask for a formal United Nations inquiry into the December assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

“Our slain leader Benazir Bhutto sacrificed her life for the cause of democracy, and now it is our responsibility to strengthen the democratic institutions in line with the aspirations of common people,” said Gillani.

Gillani defeated Chaudhry Pervez Ilahi, of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, an ally of Musharraf’s, 264-42; it will be the first time in 12 years that the PPP will lead the government.

The shift in power in Pakistan is being carefully monitored by parties in the United States and other nations, who see the country as a vital ally in the on-going war against Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants. Active military operations have continued in Pakistan’s northern tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan since the removal of the Taliban from power in that country in 2001. According to The Times Gillani was unable to offer the U.S. a commitment to fighting terrorism, and he is also expected to take a tougher stand against continued military operations in Pakistan’s tribal regions.

“People are expecting this government to explore other possibilities for a solution to what’s happening in tribal areas,” said Dawn [a Pakistani newspaper] Editor Zaffar Abbas.

In written testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte said the following:

“Looking ahead, the United States must help the Pakistani people seize the opportunities that these successful elections now present…Our assistance and engagement in Pakistan are designed to help the country develop into a modern, moderate, democratic, and prosperous country. We should now renew our efforts by continuing to support Pakistan’s democratic progress, to improve its education system, to improve governance across the country, and to offer more economic opportunities to its citizens in impoverished areas.”

Secretary Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher met with President Musharraf and Prime Minister Gillani yesterday to discuss a variety of issues as Pakistan moves forward with its new government.

References:

The New York Times: Pakistan’s New Prime Minister Frees Detained Judges

BBC NEWS: New Pakistan PM Gillani Sworn In

The New York Times: New Pakistani Leaders Tell Americans There’s “a New Sheriff in Town”

U.S. Dept. of State: U.S. Policy Options in Post-Election Pakistan