Pakistan's New PM

Carla Neal/March 24 4:44 pm/Democracy

A month after the public elections in Pakistan, there is a new prime minister in charge. Yousaf Raza Gillani, the nominee of the Pakistan People’s Party, was elected by obtaining the majority of parliament’s votes. This change couldn’t have come soon enough for m the majority of Pakistan who have been extremely unpleased with there former PM Musharraf who gained power through “military coup”, ever since he took charge of the court systems, dismissing judges and politically imprisoning many opposing party members. The PPP is looking to Gillani for a change in many of the policies made by Musharraf.

Gillani has already released some of those wrongfully imprisoned and has “reinstated the Supreme Court judges that were imprisoned”, one of which gave thanks to his new leader and the supporters while he was “away”. Gillani also plans to address the UN about an investigation of the assassination of Bhutto, the Pakistani Prime Minister before Musharraf, who many suspect of political foul play. All of this comes before he takes his official oath on Tuesday.

Now while some may not be exactly thrilled with the new election because of America’s ties with Musharraf helping fight terrorism, maybe this will be for the best simply because already this man is taking stands to reunite his country in a democratic way, so really this can only help. Another concern by some is what the Pakistan Muslim League, the group that backed Musharraf will do, because some believed they gained power illegally once so what is to stop them now? I guess we will just have to wait and see.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/world/asia/25pakistan.html?hp