Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf today registered to run in a presidential election next month as the Supreme Court prepared to rule on whether his bid for power is legal.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other government leaders filed Gen Musharraf's nomination at the Election Commission, but the Supreme Court is due to rule by tomorrow on challenges to the army chief's bid for another term.
Lawyers shout outside the Election Commission office in Islamabad. The supreme Court is preparing to rule on whether Pervez Musharraf's bid for power is legal. Image: Reuters.
"President Pervez Musharraf is the candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League and its allies, and we are fully confident that he will succeed and this will be very important for Pakistan and the region," Mr Aziz said.
Security was tight in central Islamabad, with police on guard outside the Supreme Court and in its compound.
The court is hearing petitions challenging Mr Musharraf's right to retain the posts of president and army chief, the legality of being elected in uniform, and whether he can get a mandate from outgoing assemblies. The election will be held on October 6th.
Pakistan faces months of uncertainty as Gen Musharraf tries to keep control of a nuclear-armed country whose support for the United States is seen as crucial to the success of Western efforts to stabilise Afghanistan and battle al-Qaeda.