May 12, 2008

Sharif's Party Pulls Out of Pakistan Cabinet
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Monday his party was withdrawing from the cabinet -- though it still supported the coalition government -- because of a dispute over restoring judges fired by President Pervez Musharraf.

March 24, 2008

Bhutto Ally Elected Prime Minister in Pakistan; Detained Judges Freed
Pakistan's National Assembly elected Yousaf Raza Gilani, a top official in slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's party, as prime minister Monday and released dozens of judges detained by President Pervez Musharraf.

March 10, 2008

Pakistan Parties Unite to Challenge Musharraf
The widower of Benazir Bhutto and a former Pakistan prime minister announced Sunday that their political parties -- Pakistan's largest -- would form a new coalition government.

February 19, 2008

Ruling Party Defeat in Pakistan May Intensify Pressure on Musharraf
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf conceded defeat Tuesday after his party lost to the opposition Pakistan People's Party in Monday's parliamentary elections. Two Pakistan experts consider what the election may mean for both Pakistan and the United States.

February 18, 2008

Pakistanis Count Votes Following Parliamentary Elections
Ballot counting began Monday night after Pakistanis cast their votes in relatively calm parliamentary elections that could reshape President Pervez Musharraf's government.

February 15, 2008

Pakistan Braces for Parliamentary Elections
As Pakistanis prepared to head to the polls for Monday's parliamentary elections, President Pervez Musharraf issued a warning against protests and opposition party members voiced concerns over possible vote-rigging.

February 8, 2008

British Probe: Pakistan's Bhutto Killed by Bomb
Scotland Yard investigators said Friday that former Pakistani prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto died from the impact of a suicide blast, rather than gunfire, concurring with an earlier government assessment.

January 15, 2008

Musharraf Orders Security Measures in Lead-up to Elections
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he ordered troops to shoot anyone trying to disrupt parliamentary elections scheduled for Feb. 18 as the country battles a rise in attacks blamed on Muslim extremists.

January 3, 2008

Musharraf Dissatisfied with Bhutto Death Probe
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation into Benazir Bhutto's death on Thursday, but he denied accusations of government involvement in the attack.

January 2, 2008

Opposition Parties Slam Pakistani Election Postponement
Pakistani opposition leaders criticized the government's decision to postpone parliamentary elections, a move they believe will benefit the ruling party, but said that they would still participate. Journalists discuss how the decision may impact the region's stability.

January 2, 2008

Pakistan Postpones Election Until Mid-February
Despite the objections of opposition parties, Pakistan's parliamentary election was postponed on Wednesday by six weeks until mid-February due to violence sparked by the death of Benazir Bhutto.

December 31, 2007

Bhutto's Son, Husband to Take Over Pakistan Peoples Party
As Pakistan's Election Commission weighs postponing Jan. 8 parliamentary elections amid unrest over opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's assassination, Bhutto's party named her husband and son as its new leaders.

December 28, 2007

U.S. Faces Pakistan Policy Dilemmas After Bhutto's Death
In the aftermath of the death of political opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan faces new turmoil and the United States faces tough choices in its policies toward the South Asian nation. Policy experts examine the ramifications of Bhutto's death on Pakistan's governance and the future for Pakistani-U.S. relations.

December 28, 2007

Mourning, Violence in Pakistan as Bhutto Is Buried
Benazir Bhutto's burial on Friday brought thousands of mourners to the burial site in an effort to touch her casket as it made its way from her ancestral home to the mausoleum.

December 27, 2007

Assassination Raises Fears of Renewed Turmoil in Pakistan
World leaders condemned the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Thursday, saying her death was an attack on democratic reforms and civic society in the restive South Asian nation. Regional experts examine what her death may mean for Pakistan's political future.

December 27, 2007

Former Advisers Examine Life of Benazir Bhutto
After a look at recent interviews with Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan experts and former colleagues of the late prime minister reflect on her political career, including her election as the youngest and first female Pakistan prime minister in 1988.

December 27, 2007

Pakistani Ambassador Durrani: Bhutto Had 'Best Protection Possible'
Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Mahmud Ali Durrani reiterated his government's reaction to Thursday's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, calling her death the work of Islamic extremists.

December 27, 2007

Pakistani Opposition Leader Benazir Bhutto Assassinated
Opposition leader and former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed in a gun and bomb attack on Thursday just moments after addressing supporters at a rally in Rawalpindi. A reporter in Pakistan details the events leading to the assassination and the reaction on the Pakistani streets.

December 21, 2007

Blast Aimed at Musharraf Official Kills at Least 42
A suicide bombing tore through a mosque in northwestern Pakistan Friday, killing at least 42 and injuring some 80 others, Pakistani security officials said.

November 29, 2007

Now a Civilian Leader, Musharraf Vows to Lift Emergency Rule
After stepping down from his post as chief of the army, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was sworn in Thursday as a civilian leader and vowed to lift emergency rule on Dec. 16. A former State Department official and a Pakistani relations expert analyze the changes in Musharraf's government.

November 28, 2007

Pakistan's Musharraf Quits Army Chief Role
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf stepped down as army chief Wednesday -- a day before he will be sworn in as a civilian president -- in response to mounting opposition to his dual leadership role.

November 27, 2007

Opposition Parties Line Up to Challenge Musharraf in January
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's decision to impose emergency rule on Nov. 3 gave opposition parties a rallying point and prompted Western allies to call on him to quit the army and become a civilian leader at last.

November 27, 2007

Profile: Musharraf Juggles Pakistani, U.S. Interests
In a nation generally opposed to Western influence, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has spent nearly six years working to balance the interests of his people with cooperating with U.S. demands to root out Islamic extremists.

November 27, 2007

Extremist Schools in Pakistan Complicate Global Terrorism Fight
In Pakistan, a complex picture emerges of the influence and scope of Islamic religious schools, which are often portrayed as incubators of extreme ideology.

November 23, 2007

Pakistanis Reflect on Impact of Political Turmoil
The Pakistani government denounced a move by the British Commonwealth suspending its membership and speculation continued over when President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will step down as army chief. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on public reaction to the turmoil.

November 22, 2007

Local Militant Groups Pose Threat in Pakistan
Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the threat posed by local radical groups, the Aamy's role in the response, and reactions from Pakistanis.

November 21, 2007

Pakistan's Media Struggles to Cope with Emergency Rule
Since Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule more than two weeks ago, Pakistan's media has been forced to cope with strict regulations and sporadic news blackouts. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on how the country's media is dealing with its new constraints.

November 19, 2007

Pakistani Crisis Persists as Activists Confront Military Government
A newly appointed Pakistani Supreme Court quashed several legal challenges to President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's re-election Monday. Margaret Warner reports from Lahore, Pakistan, on how the conflict between activists and Musharraf's military government has impacted the country's civil society and fuels the political crisis.

November 16, 2007

Political Pressure Builds on Musharraf over Emergency Rule
U.S. envoy John Negroponte traveled to Pakistan Friday carrying a renewed call for President Pervez Musharraf to end emergency rule. The move comes after opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's release from house arrest. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan, where she spoke to Bhutto in her first interview since her detention began.

November 15, 2007

Musharraf Names Interim Prime Minister
Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf tapped an interim prime minister Thursday who will oversee January parliamentary elections in the country as opposition leader Benazir Bhutto pushed separately to build a national unity interim government.

November 13, 2007

Pakistan's Political Unrest Prompts Questions About Nuclear Arsenal
Pakistan remains under emergency rule despite President Pervez Musharraf's pledge to hold parliamentary elections in January. A nuclear security analyst and a Pakistani physicist assess how the political turmoil will affect the security of Pakistan's nuclear program.

November 13, 2007

Bhutto Calls on Musharraf to Resign as President
Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto urged Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to step down Tuesday and ruled out serving with him in a future government as she remained barricaded inside her home under house arrest in Lahore.

November 9, 2007

Pakistani Police Clash Anew with Protestors
Pakistani police blanketed the site of a major anti-government protest rally Friday and barricaded opposition leader Benazir Bhutto inside her home to prevent her from joining the demonstration. Experts assess the latest developments in country's political crisis.

November 7, 2007

Bush Appeals to Musharraf to End Pakistan's Political Crisis
President Bush made a direct appeal to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to call new elections and bring his country's political crisis to an end. Following an update from Independent Television News, a Pakistani lawyer and Pakistan's ambassador to the United States discuss the issue.

November 6, 2007

Lawyers Emerge as Key Players in Pakistani Protests
The ousted chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court sought to rally lawyers Tuesday to continue street protests against President Pervez Musharraf's imposition of emergency rule. Regional experts discuss the pivotal role lawyers are playing in the protests and assess the latest developments in the crisis.

November 5, 2007

Thousands Protest Emergency Rule in Pakistan
Opposition groups said thousands of their supporters have been arrested in the wake of President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule this weekend. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and two experts consider the political unrest in Pakistan.

November 5, 2007

Pakistan Declares Emergency Rule, Detains Lawyers and Dissenters
Against the United States' wishes, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule over the weekend and arrested more than 1,000 people, including lawyers who were protesting the government's action.

October 19, 2007

Bhutto Seeks Inquiry Into Deadly Pakistan Attack
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto pledged to continue to push for a return to civilian rule in defiance of attackers who killed more than 100 people Thursday. After an Independent Television News report, journalists in Karachi provide an update on the story and the inquiry into the attack.

October 18, 2007

Deadly Blasts Disturb Bhutto's Pakistan Homecoming
Explosions went off near a convoy carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Thursday as she returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile. At least 108 people were reported killed in the blast. A reporter details the chaotic homecoming scene from Karachi.

October 18, 2007

Returning Ex-Premier Bhutto Escapes Blasts in Pakistan
Explosions went off near a convoy carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Thursday as she returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile to follow through on a plan to govern with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

October 8, 2007

Pakistani Presidential Election Awaits Court Ruling
Pakistan awaited a Supreme Court ruling on whether President Pervez Musharraf, who won Saturday's unofficial vote, can still run while serving as Army chief. A regional expert provides an update on the power struggle.

September 10, 2007

Pakistani Opposition Leader Sharif Deported Upon Return
Nawaz Sharif, the former Pakistani prime minister hoping to lead opposition to the current government, was arrested upon his return to Pakistan on Monday and sent to Saudi Arabia. A journalist discusses the Pakistan power struggle.

September 7, 2007

War on Terror, Foreign Policy Affect Pakistani Views of U.S.
In the last installment in a series of reports from Pakistan, Margaret Warner talks with Pakistanis about their views on the United States and the two countries' political ties.

September 6, 2007

Pakistani Lawyers Protest Musharraf's Government
Pakistani lawyers boycotted court Thursday, demanding that President Pervez Musharraf step down. Musharraf has seen his popularity decline since he tried to dismiss the Supreme Court chief in March. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the political tensions.

September 5, 2007

New Cultural Roles Create Tensions in Pakistan
Journalists, artists and judicial activists have found voices in new freedoms in Pakistani culture, but clashes have also risen. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on cultural tensions between the traditional and more modern ideologies.

September 4, 2007

Suicide Bombings Raise Terrorist Concerns in Pakistan
Two suicide bombers killed at least 25 people in Pakistan Tuesday. Margaret Warner reports from Islamabad on the suspected extremist element in the country in the midst of its political uncertainty.

September 3, 2007

Pakistanis Unsure of President Musharraf's Future
Pakistani officials said government power-sharing talks would resume between President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto once opponents within the ruling party got on board. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the political turmoil.

August 30, 2007

Pakistani Government Says Power-sharing Talks Ongoing
The government of Pakistan said Thursday that President Pervez Musharraf has not decided to step down as army chief, contradicting former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Margaret Warner reports from Pakistan on the developments.

August 27, 2007

Exiled Former Prime Minister Plans to Return to Pakistan
On her way to Pakistan, Margaret Warner spoke with exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who intends to return to his country despite threats that President Pervez Musharraf will arrest him. Follow her reporting all this week with a behind-the-scenes podcast.

August 23, 2007

Exiled Former Prime Minister Sharif Can Return to Pakistan
The Pakistani Supreme Court ruled that exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif can return to Pakistan. Journalist Steve Coll, who served in South Asia, gives more details on the development.

August 21, 2007

Former Pakistani Premier Discusses Power-sharing Plan
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto talks about plans to return to her home country, Pakistan's political strife and a possible power-sharing agreement with President Pervez Musharraf.

August 2, 2007

Journalist Describes Impoverished, Islamist Northwest Pakistan
The tribal areas of Pakistan have become an increasing dangerous place. A National Geographic journalist describes the challenges of traveling in northwest provinces such as Waziristan and interacting with Islamists.

July 16, 2007

Pakistan, Tribal Leaders Hold Talks to Restore Truce
Tribal leaders and the Pakistani government are trying to restore a truce after militants killed at least 73 people in the North Waziristan region over the weekend. A former intelligence official and a scholar explain the situation.

July 10, 2007

Pakistani Forces Storm Red Mosque, Kill Cleric
After days of battle, Pakistani forces stormed the Red Mosque in Islamabad Tuesday, killing at least 60 people, including hard-line cleric Abdul Rashid Ghazi. A reporter in the region provides an update.

July 5, 2007

Students and Security Forces Clash at Pakistan Mosque
At least 19 people have been killed since Tuesday at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, where clerics and their followers have clashed with security forces. A journalist and a political scientist discuss the developments.

June 20, 2007

Pakistan Faces Political, Security Challenges
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's decision to fire the country's chief justice has sparked protests in Islamabad, calling into question his leadership as he seeks another term this fall. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri discusses the troubles facing Musharraf and Pakistan's role in fighting terrorism.

February 26, 2007

Vice President Cheney Urges Pakistan to Fight Al-Qaida
Amid concerns that al-Qaida is regrouping in the lawless border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Bush administration has threatened to cut aid to Pakistan unless it becomes more aggressive in tracking down terrorists. Experts assess the situation.

February 19, 2007

Indian, Pakistani Leaders Pledge to Continue Talks Despite Deadly Train Bombing
At least 66 people were killed Monday when a pair of bombs sparked an inferno on an Indian train headed for Pakistan. Leaders of both nations condemned the attacks and pledged to continue their peace talk despite the carnage.