Court Casts Doubt Over Pakistan Vote
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ISLAMABAD — The Supreme Court threw Pakistan into political uncertainty today on the eve of presidential elections with the surprise ruling that the winner will not be declared for at least 11 days after the vote. The decision puts a question mark over President Musharraf’s relection bid.
The court said that Pakistan could hold the presidential election tomorrow but may only declare the winner after the court reconvenes 11 days later to decide whether General Musharraf, the expected victor, was eligible to run. The uncertainty that creates also clouds the prospect of General Musharraf and a former premier, Benazir Bhutto, forming a liberal, pro-American alliance.
Justice Javed Iqbal said that hearings on three petitions filed by General Musharraf’s opponents claiming the president is ineligible will resume on October 17.
His current term expires November 15.
The government quickly said it would respect the court ruling.
“We have always accepted and respected court rulings, and we also accept today’s ruling,” a deputy information minister, Tariq Azim, said.
Asked about the prospect of political uncertainty after the vote by lawmakers, who pick the president, Mr. Azim said, “The Supreme Court must have thought about it, but one has to go by whatever the court rules.”
Opponents have urged the court to postpone the election and consider their argument that General Musharraf’s retention of his powerful role as army chief makes him ineligible to run under the constitution.
General Musharraf has promised to quit his army post and restore civilian rule by November 15 if he wins re-election.
However, Attorney General Malik Mohammed Qayyum said today on Geo television that General Musharraf might continue as military chief if the court proceedings drag on.
A lawyer for Wajihuddin Ahmed, General Musharraf’s chief presidential rival and one of the petitioners, acknowledged that the triumph was partial.
“We have achieved 60 percent victory,” Hamid Khan said outside the courtroom. “We are very hopeful that we will be successful in the Supreme Court.”
