- Title: PAKISTAN: Pervez Musharraf sworn in as civilian president
- Date: 29th November 2007
- Summary: MUSHARRAF TAKING OATH AS CIVILIAN PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN GUESTS
- Embargoed: 14th December 2007 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Pakistan
- City:
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA9JY2EJE0NRHANUMAW3YPZ5MQW
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- Story Text: : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was sworn in for a second term on Thursday (November 29), but this time as a civilian leader a day after quitting as army chief and fulfilling a promise many Pakistanis had doubted he would keep. Musharraf, sworn in by the chief justice he hand-picked after purging the Supreme Court under emergency rule he imposed on November 3, immediately reached out to old political rivals. In his first public comments on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif since he came back from seven years in exile on Sunday (November 25), Musharraf said he welcomed his return, as well as that of another old rival, Benazir Bhutto, who came back last month. "Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are back. I personally feel this is good for the political reconciliation I have spoken of," Musharraf, wearing a traditional sherwani tunic, said in a speech after he took the oath at a ceremony in Islamabad. Musharraf's power and influence in the nuclear-armed country, which is vital to the U.S. campaign against al Qaeda and its strategy in neighbouring Afghanistan, are bound to be diminished after relinquishing command of the army. But he said the country would benefit with him being a civilian leader and his hand-picked successor, General Ashfaq Kayani, in charge of the military. Sharif, the man Musharraf ousted in 1999, and Bhutto, also a former Prime Minister, are considering boycotting a January 8 general election that they say will not be free and fair under emergency powers, although analysts expect them to take part. Musharraf said no one would be allowed to derail the election process, come what may. "Anyone who's talking of any boycotts should hear this out: come hell or high waters, elections will be held on 8th January. Nobody derails it," he said. Musharraf won re-election in a vote by legislators last month and later suspended the constitution, declared emergency rule and purged the Supreme Court to block opposition legal challenges to his victory while still a serving officer. The opposition is still challenging his grip on power. Musharraf, who is due to address the nation later on Thursday, made no mention of when he might end the emergency. Musharraf will need support during his five-year term from what analysts expect to be a hung parliament. He could face impeachment over manoeuvres to stay in power which rivals say violated the constitution. Sharif told reporters on Wednesday (November 28) Musharraf's oath of office had no no legitimacy or legal basis
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