Pakistan - Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 1 May 2009

Which political party is currently in power in ? When were they elected?

In a section titled “Pakistan People's Party emerges as single largest party in election results” a report published in the South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR) of the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) refers to the result of the February 2008 as follows:

“The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly followed closely by the -led Pakistan (PML-N) in the elections held on February 18, 2008. The PPP led with 87 seats out of 272, followed by 66 for the PML-N, and 38 for the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). Among the smaller parties, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement won 19 seats and the Pakhtun nationalist got 10 seats. The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, a religious coalition which won 59 seats in 2002, was able to win only three this time. Other political parties – the PPP- Sherpao, the Balochistan National Party, the National People's Party and the PML-F – got one, one, two, and four seats, respectively. Independent candidates won 27 seats.” (South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR) of the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) (25 February 2008) Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz agree to form coalition Government; Pakistan People's Party emerges as single largest party in election results; 19 people killed in country-wide elections)

A Voice of America report on the forming of a coalition government after these elections states:

“The leaders of Pakistan's two main opposition parties are scheduled to meet Thursday in to discuss creating a coalition government that could oust President . The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) emerged victorious over Mr. Musharraf's party in parliamentary elections earlier this week.” (Voice of America (21 February 2008) Pakistani Opposition to Begin Forming Coalition Government)

See also Time article which states:

“Gilani's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) will form a government in coalition with the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.” (Time (22 March 2008) Pakistan's PPP Chooses Premier Robinson, Simon)

An Agence France Presse report states:

“Pakistan's two main opposition leaders agreed Sunday to form a coalition government, and urged President Pervez Musharraf to convene parliament without delay. Asif Ali Zardari, widower of assassinated ex-premier , and Nawaz Sharif signed the agreement at a news conference here after a fresh round of coalition talks following last month's general election. Zardari is the de facto leader of Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which won the most seats in the February 18 ballot and, along with Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), trounced Musharraf's political allies.” (Agence France Presse (9 March 2008) Pakistan parties agree to form government)

In a section titled “Elections and Political Participation” the US Department of State country report for Pakistan states:

“On February 18, the country held national parliamentary elections that brought former opposition parties into a coalition government led by the PPP under the leadership of Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani. The elections were postponed multiple times, the last of which was due to the assassination of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto in December 2007. In the September 6 indirect presidential election, Asif Ali Zardari, widower of Bhutto, became president succeeding Pervez Musharraf, who had resigned on August 18. The PPP and its coalition partners took control of the executive and legislative branches of the national government and three of the four provincial assemblies. PML-N took control of the Punjab provincial assembly. PML-N, originally the PPP's largest partner in the national government, withdrew from the coalition on August 25 ostensibly due to PML-N's insistence that judges deposed during the 2007 be reinstated to their original positions.” (US Department of State (25 February 2009) 2008 Human Rights Report: Pakistan)

A BBC News report refers to the break-up of this coalition as follows:

“Mr Sharif pulled his PML-N party out of the coalition on Monday after a dispute over the reinstatement of judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf.” (BBC News (26 August 2008) Plea for Pakistan coalition unity)

A World Markets Research Centre report states:

“Former two-time Pakistani prime minister and head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif withdrew his party from the ruling coalition government yesterday.” (World Markets Research Centre (26 August 2008) Sharif’s Party Quits Ruling Alliance as Government Bans Pakistani Bajpaee, Chietigj)

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Refugee Documentation Centre within time constraints. This response is not and does not purport to be conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please read in full all documents referred to.

References:

Agence France Presse (9 March 2008) Pakistan parties agree to form government

http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis (Accessed 1 May 2009)

BBC News (26 August 2008) Plea for Pakistan coalition unity http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asi a/7581520.stm (Accessed 1 May 2009)

South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR) of the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) (25 February 2008) Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz agree to form coalition Government; Pakistan People's Party emerges as single largest party in election results; 19 people killed in country-wide elections http://www.ein.org.uk/members/country/print.shtml?cmd[113]=x-113-235181 (Accessed 1 May 2009)

Time (22 March 2008) Pakistan's PPP Chooses Premier Robinson, Simon http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1724968,00.html (Accessed 1 May 2009)

US Department of State (25 February 2009) 2008 Human Rights Report: Pakistan http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/sca/119139.htm (Accessed 1 May 2009)

Voice of America (21 February 2008) Pakistani Opposition to Begin Forming Coalition Government http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-02/2008-02-21- voa6.cfm?CFID=189308365&CFTOKEN=78937862&jsessionid=6630a5a054194 1495780c6e5a3b617d106d7 (Accessed 1 May 2009)

World Markets Research Centre (26 August 2008) Sharif’s Party Quits Ruling Alliance as Government Bans Pakistani Taliban Bajpaee, Chietigj http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis (Accessed 1 May 2009)

Sources Consulted:

BBC News Electronic Immigration Network Google International Crisis Group LexisNexis Refugee Documentation Centre Query Database UK Home Office US Department of State