From the Los Angeles Times

Foes of Musharraf dominate new Pakistan parliament

New ruling coalition is sworn in amid internal power struggle. Push to curb president's near-total powers is expected.

By Laura King
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

9:01 AM PDT, March 17, 2008

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — A new parliament dominated by foes of President Pervez Musharraf was inaugurated today, ushering in what is likely to be a concerted effort by the victorious opposition to curtail the near-total powers the president once held.

The buoyant atmosphere, however, was dimmed by signs of potential disarray within the newly ascendant coalition formed by the two main opposition parties after they swept last month's parliamentary elections.

The party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, which won the largest share of seats, has yet to put forth a candidate for prime minister. The delay comes amid signs of a power struggle between the expected candidate, an uncharismatic but respected party stalwart, and Bhutto's widowed husband, Asif Ali Zardari.

Zardari, who had previously said he would lead the party from the sidelines without holding office, has signaled in recent days that he might seek the top political post for himself, though he would first have to win a by-election to meet the requirement that the prime minister be a member of parliament.

Despite looming internal discord, the swearing-in ceremony was a moment to savor for those who have long sought to dislodge Musharraf, the former general who seized power in a 1999 coup and went on to become a crucial U.S. ally in the fight against the Taliban.

In the last year, Musharraf's popularity and prestige suffered a steep decline, culminating in his party's crushing defeat in Feb. 18 elections that were delayed six weeks by Bhutto's assassination on Dec. 27.

Though brief, the inaugural session of parliament provided opponents with the opportunity to take symbolic but stinging slaps at Musharraf, who was not present for the swearing-in.

Bhutto's party pointedly noted that lawmakers were taking their oaths under the country's 1973 constitution, which was subsequently amended under Musharraf.

Ahsan Iqbal, a senior lawmaker from the other main opposition party, read into the record a scathing statement declaring that the elections represented the public's repudiation of the coup under which Musharraf came to power.

Bhutto herself was a ghostly presence in the ornate chamber. Members of her party wore rosette-type badges featuring the late leader's photograph, depicting her in her familiar white head scarf. At her party's call, lawmakers offered a prayer in her memory.