Pervez Musharraf to run for Parliament

ISLAMABAD: Former president Pervez Musharraf is set to file nomination papers to contest elections for Pakistan’s Parliament after the Supreme Court allowed him to do so.

He will contest from the Karachi South-ii constituency in the southern port city.

The nomination papers will reportedly be sent to Dubai, where he currently lives in selfexile, for signature.

If his nomination papers are accepted, a five-way contest is expected between Mustafa Kamal of the Pak Sarzameen Party, Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf, rights activist Jibran Nasir and Mutahidda Qaumi Movement-pakistan chief Farooq Sattar.

Meanwhile, both Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be contesting from different Karachi seats.

The Supreme Court, which heard Musharraf’s appeal against a Peshawar high court verdict disqualifying him for life for promulgating Emergency in November, 2007, has allowed the former dictator to return to Pakistan unhindered.

The court also said the former president would not be arrested.

Alluding to an earlier statement by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on Saturday said that Musharraf’s return to the country should not be construed as a threat by any individual.