Court rules in Musharraf's favour

2007-11-22 15:42

Islamabad - A Pakistani Supreme Court stacked with judges loyal to President General Pervez Musharraf cleared the way for him to rule as a civilian president, deciding on Thursday against a final challenge blocking ratification of his election last month.

The decision, which was widely expected after Musharraf purged the court of independent-minded judges, meant that Pakistan's Election Commission could put a stamp of approval on the October vote that won Musharraf a five-year-term.

Musharraf had said that once he got a court decision in his favour, he would quickly step down as army chief and take the oath as president. Pakistan's attorney-general said on Wednesday that such a move could come as early as Saturday.

The case before the court on Thursday centred on a claim by a would-be rival candidate, Zahoor Mehdi, who was blocked by the Election Commission from competing in the vote.

Emergency rule

He argued the decision was wrong, but the court said his nomination papers were not valid. Five other cases challenging the election were either thrown out or withdrawn on Monday.

It was still not clear whether Musharraf would lift the state of emergency, despite international pressure, including from the United States, his key backer. The Supreme Court on Thursday was also considering challenges to emergency rule, and a decision was expected later in the day.

Late on Wednesday, Musharraf decreed new amendments to the constitution using powers he said he had under the emergency. One of the amendments stated that his decisions could not be challenged by any court and would be considered "always to have been validly made".

Also on Wednesday, the government freed more jailed political activists, including two of Musharraf's key opponents.

Ex-cricket star freed

Law Minister Afzal Hayder announced on state television on Wednesday that the government had released 5 634 lawyers and political party members. He said 623 people remained in custody, but that they would be let go soon.

Those freed included Imran Khan, a former cricket star who had become a firebrand in the opposition to Musharraf's rule. Khan said he would continue a hunger strike begun in custody and boycott the election in hopes of forcing Musharraf to give up all power.

Khan said: "Musharraf is staging a drama to deceive America and the West whom he scared (by saying) that without him the nuclear bomb will get into extremist hands."

Some people had voiced concerns that the crisis could undermine the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, but the top United States military officer said this week that there were no signs of that.

Also freed was Javed Hashmi, acting president of the party of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Musharraf's most dogged foe.

Hashmi called for opposition parties to boycott the January 08 parliamentary elections to avoid giving credibility to Musharraf.

- AP