Pakistan Prime Minister Rules Out Compromise; No Early Vote
Pakistani Prime Minister Mohammed Khan Junejo has ruled out any compromise with political parties seeking to oust him as a courtroom confrontation looms with jailed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
In remarks published today, Junejo once again rejected the opposition demand for new elections before the end of the year and said there is no need for talks with opposition groups.
He spoke to reporters in the Punjab provincial capital of Lahore after meetings Sunday night with Parliament members.
Bhutto’s lawyers said she is planning to challenge her 12-day-old detention in court.
Bhutto, daughter and political heir of executed former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was jailed in Karachi on Aug. 14 for defying a government ban on political rallies.
Bhutto’s lawyer, Hafeez Lakho, said in Karachi that she has applied to the Sind high court for permission to consult lawyers about challenging the detention through a writ petition.
Karachi police have confirmed press reports that a “first information report” was registered 26 days ago accusing Bhutto and eight other party members of sedition, but no formal charges have been filed.
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