Prime Minister's Arrest Ordered amid 'Revolution'

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Spiegel:

Pakistan has plunged into a leadership crisis. As hundreds of thousands demonstrate against corruption, the country's high court has ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Ashraf. Populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri has declared a "revolution."

The streets of Pakistan were packed on Tuesday, when hundreds of thousands of demonstrators joined the protest called by Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, a self-proclaimed revolutionary leader. Indeed, it was to be his day of "revolution."

He likely wasn't expecting help from the country's highest court, but in the middle of the march, the news suddenly broke that the court had ordered the arrest of Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on suspicion of corruption and nepotism. The demonstrators cheered wildly when they heard the development.

The order issued by the Islamabad-based court came following hearings in a corruption case in which Ashraf, who has been prime minister since last June, stands accused of having received bribes in connection with an energy project during his stint as minister of water and power from 2008 to 2011. He is said to have purchased property in London with the money he received.

________

 

Corruption in Pakistan? I am shocked.

[Chickadee]

Yes @WestVirginiaRebel, and also, a cleric trying to take over the government? I am shocked.

[Valin]

Times of Pakistan: “Jailing 10 top corrupt elements annually can resolve corruption”: Suddal

1/16/13

 

KARACHI: Federal Tax Ombudsman, Dr. Shoaib Suddal has recommended, “Jailing 10 topmost corrupt elements, annually can help resolve the corruption morbidity from country”.

 

Talking to industrialists during Tuesday’s event, held under the auspices of Pakistan Apparel Forum (PAF) at PHM, the ombudsman stressed on ensuring tax returns from all ministers, rulers, et al in order to foster the revenue culture for benefit of Country.He also pointed out that FBR (federal Board of Revenue) was liable to ensure implementation of all decisions of tax ombudsman, within a 30-day period, failing which FBR stood a chance of being penalized by ombudsman.

 

(Snip)

 

Also

 

Pakistan's Supreme Court orders arrest of prime minister

[Valin]

Af-Pak Chaos Creates Immense Problem for Obama

1/16/13

 

A mysterious preacher leads tens of thousands of protestors and calls for the downfall of the government; border guards are brutally killed in Kashmir; tribal leaders are assassinated in wartorn frontier provinces; an all-powerful chief justice calls for the arrest of the prime minister. All this, just in the past few days, has thrown Pakistan into chaos. Now it’s uncertain whether scheduled elections will take place in May. Are Pakistan’s powerful generals preparing a slow-moving, stealthy coup d’état?

 

The answer to this question matters a great deal to America, as the Obama administration’s plans to get out of Afghanistan in an organized fashion depend in part on a stable Pakistan. Unfortunately, Pakistan is anything but stable these days.

 

Here’s what has been happening in recent weeks.

 

(Snip)