Pervez Ashraf allowed to contest elections finally; A Pakistani court orders a three-day house arrest on former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the murder of ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto; Pakistan and Russia agree on comprehensive partnership; MQ
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  • (APRIL 22-28)

    According to reports, the Lahore High court on April 20 finally gave the green signal to former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervez Ashraf to contest the May 11 general election. The court also cleared Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khwaja Asif and PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira to contest the polls. 1

    In another development, according to reports, a Pakistani court has ordered a three-day house arrest on former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the murder of ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto more than five years ago. Musharraf appeared in court on April 26 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi for his remand hearing under tight security a day after being formally arrested. He is accused of conspiracy to murder Bhutto, who died in a gun and suicide attack in December 2007. 2
    In other development, according to reports, Pakistan and Russia agreed on April 25 to promote a ‘comprehensive partnership’ after talks between senior officials from the two countries. The meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Consultative Group on Strategic Stability was part of the efforts by the two countries to increase cooperation on key regional and international issues. The issues discussed were international arms control, disarmament and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) non proliferation. 3

    According to reports, at least five people were killed and around ten others injured when a blast ripped through an election office of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi’s Nusrat Bhutto Colony on April 25. The Tehrik I Taliban Pakistn (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. The TTP has vowed to attack secular parties in Pakistan in the wake of coming elections. 4

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