Sharif banned from Pakistan poll

Source: Guardian Unlimited

The Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has been banned from taking part in January's elections.

The country's electoral commission today announced it had rejected his application on account of his criminal record. The former prime minister was found guilty of treason in 1999, when he was ousted from power by the then General Musharraf.

Sharif, who returned from seven years of exile on November 25, had been threatening to boycott the election but had lodged nomination papers.

His exclusion from the vote will be seen by the opposition as the result of pressure on election officials by President Musharraf to block the old rival he ousted. Critics say Musharraf has sway over voting officials.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/pakistan/Story/0,,2221155,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12

and the country was Venezuela instead of Pakistan. The howling of the bush cabal and others would be at such a decibel level as to deafen anyone but, seeing as it is Pakistan, well, Musharraf DID take off his uniform so all is well. A former leader, ousted by a coup, charged with treason by the coup leader, found guilty by courts under the thumb of said coup leader (Musharraf). Nothing to question here, noooo, all is well.

I just love hypocrisy, don't you!