Bench hearing petition against Muhsarraf's nomination dissolved

Islamabad, Oct 3 (UNI) A nine-judge bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court, hearing constitutional petitions against the candidacy of President Pervez Musharraf in presidential polls, was dissolved today after a judge pulled out of it.

Justice Sardar Raza opted not to sit on the bench, saying he had already given his detailed opinion in the matter in the court's verdict on President's dual offices case.

He said he could not sit on the bench as an ''observer''.

Head Judge of the bench Justice Javed Iqbal asked Justice Raza to continue but he persisted not to do so.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan would now constitute a new bench for hearing of the constitutional petitions, Geo News reported.

Two presidential candidates Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed and Makhdoom Amin Fahim had filed petitions challenging the Election Commission accepting nomination papers of Gen Musharraf, who is seeking re-election in the October 6 polls.

UNI