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Musharraf unveils new interim PM Musharraf unveils new interim PM
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has named the chairman of the country's Senate as his caretaker prime minister to oversee elections in January.Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has named the chairman of the country's Senate as his caretaker prime minister to oversee elections in January.
Mohammedmian Soomro will take up his position once the current parliament's term expires at midnight (1900 GMT).Mohammedmian Soomro will take up his position once the current parliament's term expires at midnight (1900 GMT).
The announcement came as the Supreme Court heard a challenge to emergency rule imposed earlier this month.The announcement came as the Supreme Court heard a challenge to emergency rule imposed earlier this month.
The court is also due to rule on whether Gen Musharraf's re-election as president last month was legal.The court is also due to rule on whether Gen Musharraf's re-election as president last month was legal.
The most crucial issue at this moment in time is Pakistan - Pakistan's stability and Pakistan's democratic transition Gen Musharraf
Correspondents say he is expected to win both cases after changing the make-up of the court when he declared the emergency on 3 November, sacking several judges who had shown judicial independence.Correspondents say he is expected to win both cases after changing the make-up of the court when he declared the emergency on 3 November, sacking several judges who had shown judicial independence.
The current National Assembly is coming to the end of its five-year term and a caretaker government will be sworn in on Friday.
The most crucial issue at this moment in time is Pakistan - Pakistan's stability and Pakistan's democratic transition Gen Musharraf
Mr Soomro, a member of Gen Musharraf's ruling Pakistan Muslim League Q party, will take over as prime minister from Shaukat Aziz, who is leaving office after three years.
Speaking on state television earlier on Thursday, Gen Musharraf defended his decision to impose the emergency, and said he wanted to see democracy in Pakistan.Speaking on state television earlier on Thursday, Gen Musharraf defended his decision to impose the emergency, and said he wanted to see democracy in Pakistan.
"The most crucial issue at this moment in time is Pakistan - Pakistan's stability and Pakistan's democratic transition."The most crucial issue at this moment in time is Pakistan - Pakistan's stability and Pakistan's democratic transition.
"This is very important, and we must do everything to ensure this transition takes place.""This is very important, and we must do everything to ensure this transition takes place."
It comes as the two main opposition leaders, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, say they have begun talks on forming an alliance.
Ms Bhutto, who is under house arrest in Lahore, says she has ruled out the possibility of sharing power with Gen Musharraf, whom she accuses of taking Pakistan back towards military dictatorship.
Media restrictionsMedia restrictions
Separately, Pakistan's attorney general has said that he expects President Musharraf to resign as head of the army before 1 December.Separately, Pakistan's attorney general has said that he expects President Musharraf to resign as head of the army before 1 December.
Ms Bhutto has ruled out a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf Ms Bhutto says a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf is unlikely
Gen Musharraf has promised to step down once the Supreme Court validates his new term as president. A decision is expected in the next few days.Gen Musharraf has promised to step down once the Supreme Court validates his new term as president. A decision is expected in the next few days.
It comes as the two main opposition leaders, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, say they have begun talks on forming an alliance.
Ms Bhutto, who is under house arrest in Lahore, says she has ruled out the possibility of sharing power with Gen Musharraf, whom she accuses of taking Pakistan back towards military dictatorship.
Meanwhile, the international television channels BBC and CNN have returned to Pakistani screens, and two of the four main national news channels are back on air.Meanwhile, the international television channels BBC and CNN have returned to Pakistani screens, and two of the four main national news channels are back on air.
The government took the independent broadcast media off cable channels as part of strict curbs under the state of emergency.The government took the independent broadcast media off cable channels as part of strict curbs under the state of emergency.
Gen Musharraf had accused some broadcasters of adding to the political uncertainty that led to emergency rule.Gen Musharraf had accused some broadcasters of adding to the political uncertainty that led to emergency rule.
The move to reinstate the services comes a day before an expected visit by US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.The move to reinstate the services comes a day before an expected visit by US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.
The United States has strongly criticised Pakistan's clampdown on the media and on opposition activists.The United States has strongly criticised Pakistan's clampdown on the media and on opposition activists.