Topic: Benazir Bhutto

Pakistani plane crashes, no sign of survivors

A Pakistani plane with 127 people on board, flying from Pakistan's biggest city Karachi, crashed in bad weather as it came in to land in Islamabad on Friday.

Taliban storm Pakistani prison: nearly 400 freed

Taliban militants armed with grenades battled their way into a prison in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, freeing close to 400 prisoners, including about 20 described by police as 'very dangerous.'

Pakistani PM charged with contempt, job on the line in court showdown

The judges are set to charge Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with contempt for defying their orders to reopen an old corruption case against his political ally, President Asif Ali Zardari.

In landmark trial, Pakistan prime minister charged with contempt

The indictment of Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani has polarized public opinion, with some seeing a victory for rule of law, but others worried about an antidemocratic precedent.

Pakistan Supreme Court rejects prime minister's appeal. What's the next step?

Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani's appeal of his contempt charges was thrown out today, paving the way for indictment. Some say the ruling benefits the powerful military.

Possible coup in Pakistan? 4 key questions

Pakistan’s government is facing a period of prolonged uncertainty about its future, four years after the country returned to democratic rule. Here are four key questions to explain the issues.

Why Musharraf is risking a return to Pakistan

Pakistani prosecutors say former President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will be arrested the moment he returns, but the Army might prevent his arrest.

Christopher Hitchens: 'God is not great' - but bookmobiles are

Author and staunch atheist Christopher Hitchens died yesterday, Vanity Fair reported. How did the man who could write on everything begin his life of learning? The bookmobile – a vital entity now in danger of becoming obsolete. Hitchens' mind was a testament to their ongoing necessity.

Pakistan attacks reveal widening split between religious parties and militants

Successive, yet unsuccessful assassination attempts on Maulana Fazl ur Rehman of the group Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl show Islamic militants' growing disdain for even sympathetic political leaders.

At Christian lawmaker's funeral, Pakistan's PM mum on blasphemy law

Pakistan's prime minister joined mourners at today's funeral service for slain Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti. Critics say a timid government has emboldened militants and allowed extremists to shape the country’s future.

Could there be a liberal resurgence in Pakistan? Lawmaker Sherry Rehman says she's working on it.

A liberal resurgence in Pakistan may not be as unlikely as it might seem, according to Sherry Rehman, a progressive parliamentarian who is attempting to amend the country's blasphemy laws.

Aasia Bibi blasphemy case a symbol of Pakistan's religious intolerance

The Pakistani government's handling of the case of Aasia Bibi, a Christian facing the death penalty for insulting the Quran, indicates a willingness to let extremists have their way.

What Muslim nations can learn from the 'infidels' -- how to fight corruption

Forget strict enforcement of sharia law. If Muslim leaders want to gain moral high ground, they have to fight corruption. On Transparency International's corruption index, only four Muslim majority countries ranked in the top 50. It's time to take a cue from the countries who did.

Bhutto: movie review

Documentary 'Bhutto' elucidates Pakistan's knotty politics.

WikiLeaks gets muted political response in Pakistan

Criticism at home of Pakistan’s major political players is likely to be quelled by the fact that the government and its political opposition have been embarrassed equally.

Global leadership: Voters launch a power surge of women

Brazil's President-elect Dilma Rousseff is the latest in a power surge of women in global leadership positions.

Under pressure from floods and courts, Pakistan's Zardari likely to keep his job

Ongoing confrontation between Pakistan's President Zardari and the high court has raised concerns about political instability, but some analysts say the lack of appetite for change means the government is likely to finish its term.

Pakistan President Zardari arrives in London, sparring with Cameron continues

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in London on Wednesday, but his proximity to British Prime Minister David Cameron did not soften the growing fight between leaders ahead of their Friday meeting.

Pakistan's Zardari says 'losing war' against Taliban ahead of David Cameron meeting

Pakistan President Zardari says his country is 'losing the war' against the Taliban ahead of a key meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who took Zardari's government to task recently for supporting militants in Afghanistan and India.

UN report blames Benazir Bhutto's assassination on Pakistan government lapses

A new UN report into the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto blames the Musharraf government for failing to protect her. It also alleged that Pakistani intelligence services may have "hampered" the investigation.

Pakistan's President Zardari closer to losing powers

Pakistan's President Zardari could soon cede several of his powers to the prime minister, after a parliamentary committee approved a long-negotiated draft bill to that effect late Wednesday. It is expected to pass.

Pakistan Supreme Court strikes down amnesty deal

President Asif Ali Zardari could once again face charges of corruption after Pakistan's Supreme Court found that an amnesty deal that allowed many officials to serve in the government was unconstitutional.

In Pakistan, end of amnesty could spark fresh political turmoil

In Pakistan, end of amnesty that protected senior officials from prosecution of criminal charges will expire Saturday, deepening the woes of the embattled government.

Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy and the West