Recent developments

On November 3, 2007, President Musharraf suspended Pakistan's constitution by declaring a state of emergency.
Pakistan's new parliament elected the country's first female speaker March 19, 2008 from the Pakistan Peoples Party: Fahmida Mirza.[1]Allies of President Pervez Musharraf withdrew their candidate for Pakistan's prime minister, Farooq Sattar, on March 22, 2008. Musharraf's supporters said their decision was a "good will gesture" to slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party, who won the most parliamentary seats in Pakistani general election, 2008 on February 18, 2008. On March 22, the Pakistan Peoples Party named former parliament speaker Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani as its candidate for the country's next prime minister. A confirmation vote is scheduled for March 24, 2008 in parliament, and the prime minister would be sworn in by Musharraf March 25, 2008, On March 25, 2008 President Pervez Musharraf is sworn in newly elected Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani as the country's next Prime Minister.[2]
On August 7, 2008, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) agreed to force Musharraf to step down and begin his impeachment. Asif Ali Zardari& Nawaz Sharif, announced sending a formal request or joint charge sheet that he steps down, and impeach him through parliamentary process upon refusal. Musharaf, however, said: “I will defeat those who try to push me to the wall. If they use their right to oust me, I have the right to defend myself."[1] Musharraf, accordingly delayed his departure for the Beijing Olympics, by a day.[2] A senior coalition official told Reuters: "Yes, we have agreed in principle to impeach him."[3] The draft of the ruling coalition’s joint statement had been finalized by the draft Committee, and Musharraf must obtain vote of confidence from the National Assembly and 4 provincial assemblies.[4] The government summoned the national assembly, or lower house of parliament, to sit on August 11.[5] Capt. Wasif Syed, spokesman for the Pakistan People's Party -- confirmed: "A decision has been made that he has to go now, and all the parties have agreed on this point."[6]