The Conflict

Elected heads of state in Pakistan have been overthrown four times by military dictators since Pakistan's founding in 1947. The last elected leader, Nawaz Sharif, was ousted by Pakistan's chief of the armed forces, General Pervez Musharraf, in October 1999. The question remains whether Musharraf will allow a smooth transition back to civilian government or if he will take to the role of dictator.

Political

• Government in Pakistan has been strongly influenced by the military, which, under Nawaz Sharif's administration, demanded an official say in how things were run.
• Though ousted in a military coup and convicted by the courts for corruption, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif challenged the validity of the coup in Pakistan's supreme court. The court rejected his appeal, granting legitimacy to General Musharraf's actions as the country's leader...