Court Dismisses Challenge To Musharraf Re-election

By Barry Newhouse
Islamabad

Pakistani Court Dismisses Final Challenge to Musharraf Re-Election

Pakistan's Supreme Court has dismissed the final legal challenge to President Pervez Musharraf's re-election victory. Pakistanis are now waiting to see if General Musharraf carries through with his promise to step down as army chief.

The widely expected decision on Thursday by General Musharraf's hand-picked court clears all legal challenges to his October re-election victory.

The court ruling came just a day after Pakistan's attorney general, an ally of General Musharraf, said the president could step down as army chief as early as Saturday once his presidency was confirmed.

However, not everyone is convinced that will happen. Political analyst Ayaz Amir says whether the president will take off his uniform, as he has promised several times, is still an open question.

"We have to wait and see when he takes the oath as president, will he take if off then or not. If he does, then that will be one promise that he has kept," said Amir. "If not, everything becomes very uncertain."

Skeptics say the general has failed to honor similar pledges in the past.

ENDS

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