Pakistan

After eight years in exile, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz group) is home, running for a seat in next parliamentary election scheduled for 8 January. He pledges no deal with Musharraf, talks with Benazir Bhutto.

The 53 nations who make up the group have criticised the sustained emergency rule. At the same time, the Chinese president sends a message of support to General Musharraf.

The justices, appointed after the state of emergency came into effect, have rejected all appeals against the general’s election. His resignation as army chief should come shortly. Nawaz Sharif is expected to return and run in the 8 January elections.

the Election Commission opens offices accepting nomination papers till November 26. Democrats and Peoples party unsure of boycott.

The Courts judges, renewed under emergency rule, confirmed the legitimacy of the president-general’s re-election. Lawyers and ordinary civilians released while the leaders of the protest remain in jail.

Three-day celebrations and prayers for the church’s first century end today. The building won the first Grand Prix de Rome in the early part of the 20th century. Pope Benedict XVI sends a message of congratulations, whilst the Pakistani government issues commemorative stamp. Bishops pray for peace and democracy during mass.

With satellite TV shut down and printed press locked up, Internet becomes the venue for anti-government protest. Flash protests against the military dictatorship are organised on the net.

A resolution is approved by a near unanimous vote condemning violence and injustice against believers. Even though its list of offenders is not complete, it shows Asia as the continent with the largest number of countries violating religious freedom.

The new prime minister is Mohammedmian Soomro, former Senate president, loyal supporter of general Musharraf. The president transfers power to revoke state of emergency to his office, while Bhutto is released and demands an end to the military dictatorship.

After five years pro-Musharraf National Assembly is dissolved at the stroke of midnight tonight. Elections are scheduled for January 9 but arrests and human rights violations continue throughout the country. Justice and Peace Commission calls for a return to constitutional rule and an independent judiciary.

Pakistan authorities have issued a warrant for her detention in a senator’s home. Over one thousand officers forced to protect the building given the high number of supporters who surround her. The break down of dialogue with Musharraf confirmed.

The president of Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission makes the charges, stressing the unconstitutionality of the action and how it violates the population’s human rights. Bhutto ends power-sharing talks with the general.