by Qaiser Felix

The justices, appointed after the state of emergency came into effect, have rejected all appeals against the general’s election. His resignation as army chief should come shortly. Nawaz Sharif is expected to return and run in the 8 January elections.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court this morning dismissed a final challenge to General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election as a president of Pakistan. This did not stop his political opponents from dismissing the decision since the members of the highest tribunal were appointed by the president himself after he proclaimed a state of emergency on November 3.

A government spokesperson confirmed that President Pervez Musharraf would resign as army chief. General Ashfaq Kayani should take over when the former resigns.

In Washington the US government declared its support for the president-elect.

Although condemning the state of emergency, US President George W. Bush said that Mr Musharraf was a man of his word and truly believed in democracy.

Lastly, President Musharraf’s remaining exiled opponent should be able to come home. Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif, who has been in exile in Saudi Arabia, said that Musharraf’s meeting with Saudi King Abdullah set the terms of his return, which should occur over the next two days if he wants to run for office in the 8 January parliamentary elections.

Pakistan’s Election Commission has in fact confirmed that those who want to run for office can submit their names up to 26November.

Mr Sharif, who has widespread support in the country, wants to become prime minister, a post that the other popular leader, Benazir Bhutto, had almost sewn up.

• pakistan
• electoral
• commission
• supreme
• court
• legal
• challenges
• pervez
• musharraf
• benazir
• bhutto
• nawaz
• sharif
• ashfaq
• kayani
• state
• of
• emergency
• parliamentary
• elections