Musharraf obtains papers to contest polls
Former president allowed to file nomination papers on the condition that he personally appears before court, report says |
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is said to have obtained the nomination papers to contest in the July 25 general elections through his representatives from Karachi’s South district, a media report said yesterday.
Musharraf, who is facing a high treason case, has been allowed by the Supreme Court to file nomination papers on the condition that he would personally appear before the court in Lahore on June 13, the Dawn news report said.
Recently, a three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar heard Musharraf’s appeal against a Peshawar High Court verdict disqualifying him for life for promulgating a state of emergency in November 2007. The apex court allowed the returning officers to receive the former leader’s nomination papers for the upcoming elections, though acceptance of the nomination papers would be subject to the outcome of the case.
No date set
Informed sources told Dawn the documents were being sent to Dubai for his signature. He has not set any date for his return, but an All Pakistan Muslim League leader announced last week that he would return after Eid Al Fitr.
If Musharraf’s papers are accepted by the election commission, observers expect an interesting contest between Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar, Mustafa Kamal of the Pak Sarzameen Party, Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League-N’s Saleem Zia and rights activist Jibran Nasir in the constituency.