Pakistan Ends Bhutto Detention

Musharraf lifts house arrest, prepares for US diplomat
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 15, 2007 7:29 PM CST
Pakistan Ends Bhutto Detention
Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto adjusts her shawl during a press conference in Lahore, Pakistan on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. (AP Photo/K M Chaudary)   (Associated Press)

Benazir Bhutto has been released from house arrest and her detention orders withdrawn just hours before Pakistan's President Perzez Musharraf swears in an interim government of his choosing and a US diplomat arrives for talks, Reuters reports. "She is free to move wherever she likes," said a police official. Bhutto had been detained—again—since Tuesday, to prevent her from attending a demonstration opposing emergency rule.

Bhutto's release comes as Musharraf gets set to swear in a close ally as interim prime minister to govern until January elections. John Negroponte, deputy secretary of state, is due to arrive tomorrow to press the US case for a resumption of civilian rule. Bhutto today ruled out any power-sharing deal with Musharraf, and 3 people were killed in protests in Karachi. (More Pakistan stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X