PML fears rejection of Musharraf's nomination papers

Islamabad, Aug 13 (UNI) The ruling Pakistan Muslim League fears that a difficult situation may emerge in the event of rejection of nomination papers of General Pervez Musharraf for another term as President by the relevant authority.

To deal with such an eventuality, the party will also file nomination papers of cover candidates, party sources said. PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz are expected to be such candidates, Dawn newspaper reported today.

So far, no opposition party has indicated whether it will put up its candidate for the office of the President.

Constitutional experts have different opinions about the eligibility of General Musharraf to go for a second term.

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said in an interview that General Musharraf would have to take off his uniform at the time of filing his nomination papers for the Presidential elections, due in Septembet-October.

In case he didn't, Ahsan said, it would be incumbent upon the Chief Election Commissioner to reject his papers.

However, legal brains of the government don't agree with this point of view. They insist that General Musharraf can retain his uniform till November 15 and contest the election before that day.

Once he is elected, the matter cannot be challenged before any court of law, they say.

Some say that the matter will ultimately go to the Supreme Court and nobody is in a position to predict what its verdict will be.

UNI