Yousuf Raza Gilani sworn in as Pakistani prime minister, restores sacked judges

Yousuf Raza Gilani, named by slain Benzair Bhuto’s Pakistan People’s Party as its candidate for prime minister, was sworn in Tuesday. In an immediate challenge to President Pervez Musharraf, Gilani ordered the release of all judges sacked and detained by Musharraf under emergency rule in November. The party has agreed to set up a coalition government with ex-PM Nawaz Sharif’s Muslim bloc. Both are reported in favor of negotiating with the terrorists who carried out 17 deadly attacks in the first weeks of 2008, although their spokesmen beware of naming either Taliban or al Qaeda.
Both too agreed to oust President Pervez Musharraf by reinstating the judges he sacked and having them declare his election in October illegal. The real power behind prime minister-designate Gilani is Bhutto’s widower Asif Ali Zardari, who is expected to seek election to parliament at the earliest opportunity and then move in on the top job.
Monday, Taliban bombers planted an explosive device underneath one of the tankers supplying fuel for US and NATO troops in Afghanistan that were parked at the Khyber Pass town of Landikotal. The explosion early Monday, March 24, triggered a massive fire injuring up to 100 people and gutting 36 of the 80 tankers parked there.