Pakistan: A quick round up

Pak Army chief orders military out of the government. A short range missile test is completed successfully and the first Pakistani female astronaut meets with Musharraf.

A senior journalist was assassinated in Quetta, the Balochistan Liberation Army are claiming responsibility. It is the first such killing of a journo by an armed group in Pakistan.

The wicked sons of Islam are up to their usual tricks in the run-up to the election, it's bombs, bombs, and more bombs. Including one injuring five journalists. There's a suicide bomber on the loose in Lahore. And the Mullahs are blaming Musharraf and his "war on terror" for the problem. Unh-huh.

Speaking of the election, they are banning international observers and media types from 16 "sensitive districts" in the NWFP and FATA. Unless they want to visit polling stations in these districts at their own risk. I wonder where observer US Senator Chuck Hagel will park his behind? Speaking of big behinds - here comes another US observer, Sheila Jackson Lee. She'll be leading a delegation! The Taliban are claiming that they will NOT be disrupting the polls. Okay, show of hands. Who believes dat shit?

Okay, file this one under: They never learn, do they? Effort to get Lal Masjid (the Red Mosque) ex-chief released. Hopes are high for his release. Not so fast he says.

The Australian cricket team has been advised against traveling to Pakistan for their upcoming matches. And for all you socialites, Ms. Jemima Khan has arrived in the capital to observe the elections and check on the health of her former father in law.
(That's all folks!)