Musharraf's rivals vow to banish army from politics

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani opposition parties which inflicted a crushing defeat on President Pervez Musharraf's allies in last week's election vowed on Wednesday to banish the military from politics.

At a show of strength gathering attended by 171 National Assembly members-elect, they also called on President Pervez Musharraf to immediately summon parliament so they can show they have the majority needed to choose the next prime minister.

U.S. ally Musharraf seized power as a general in 1999 but stepped down as chief of the powerful army in November before becoming a civilian ruler of a country which the military has ruled for more than half of its 60 years of existence.

While Musharraf did not take part in the February 18 parliamentary elections, the main party that backs him suffered heavy losses, largely because of the president's unpopularity and anger over rising prices and food shortages.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080227/wl_nm/pakistan_politics_dc;_

[davidinalameda]

1. good luck in that

the first time the army is pissed, here comes another coup

[mainegreen]

2. Ahahahahahahaha

:rofl:

[Raskolnik]

3. Unfortunately, the army is a large reason Pakistan hasn't been completely taken over by

Islamic fundamentalists.