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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 is set to be formally sworn in on Friday, after the end of the five-year parliament term.
The announcement came as the Supreme Court heard a challenge to emergency rule imposed earlier this month. The announcement came as key opposition leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif considered forming an alliance.
In the first reported deaths since the state of emergency was imposed, three people died in protests in Karachi.
Two boys, said to be aged around 11 or 12, and an adult died when gunfire broke out during a demonstration against Ms Bhutto's detention, police said.
Several other people were reportedly wounded.
New appointment
The National Assembly dissolved at midnight after its five-year term came to an end. A caretaker government will be sworn in on Friday.
We are introducing a new culture of smooth transition which is as it should be in civilised societies 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.
Mr Musharraf confirmed the appointment at a dinner on Thursday, at which he wore a black suit instead of his military uniform, reported AFP news agency.
"We are introducing a new culture of smooth transition which is as it should be in civilised societies. The assemblies are completing their five-year term in a better way than before," Mr Musharraf was quoted as saying.
The appointment 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.
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. Alliance talks
The most crucial issue at this moment in time is Pakistan - Pakistan's stability and Pakistan's democratic transition Gen Musharraf Meanwhile, opposition leaders Ms Bhutto and Mr Sharif said they had begun talks on forming an alliance.
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. Ms Bhutto says a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf is unlikely
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. Ms Bhutto, who is under house arrest in Lahore, reportedly told Dawn TV she had conclusively ruled out the possibility of sharing power with Gen Musharraf, whom she accuses of taking Pakistan back towards military dictatorship.
"The most crucial issue at this moment in time is Pakistan - Pakistan's stability and Pakistan's democratic transition. "Too much water has gone under the bridge," she said.
"This is very important, and we must do everything to ensure this transition takes place." "We have said very clearly that we cannot keep doors open when commitments are broken."
It comes as the two main opposition leaders, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, say they have begun talks on forming an alliance. Mr Sharif said he had welcomed the contact from Ms Bhutto, but cautioned that a clear agenda would have to be agreed before an alliance could be formed, in an interview with Associated Press.
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. He said he had proposed an opposition boycott of elections in their phone conversation, and that she had said she would respond within a day or two.
"Under these circumstances, I'm for a complete boycott of the elections," he reportedly said.
"How can you go into elections where your hands are tied up; leaders are all arrested and parties cannot meet; where there is a subservient judiciary and a hand-picked election commission?"
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 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.
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.
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.