June 20, 2012 
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari
(NHK) — Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has cancelled his scheduled visit to Russia, following the dismissal of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani by the country’s Supreme Court.
A senior Pakistan Peoples Party official says President Zardari is now leading discussions to form a new government.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified Gilani as a member of parliament and dismissed him as prime minister over his April conviction for contempt of court.
Gilani was formally stripped of his premiership by Pakistan’s election commission in an official announcement.
This is the first time an incumbent Pakistani prime minister has been disqualified because of a guilty verdict.
Gilani’s ouster is seen as a blow to the president. Since taking office in 2008, Gilani has run the government jointly with Zardari. (*)
SOURCE : NHK
Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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