SC dismisses petitions against Musharraf's re-election

Islamabad, Nov 19 (UNI) Pakistan's Supreme Court today dismissed five out of six petitions challenging President Pervez Musharraf's re-election and candidature.

The sixth and final petition would be heard on Thursday.

Petitions were filed by Gen Musharraf's rivals in October 6 presidential election, presidential candidate Wajihuddin Ahmad and PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Jamat-e-Islami leader Liaqat Baloch, Dr Anwar-ul-Haq and Pakistan Lawyers' Forum.

The ten-member bench dismissed petitions after counsels for the petitioners failed to appear before the court, a court official told UNI.

Mr Wajihuddin's four counsels, including Aitzaz Ahsan, Tariq Mehmud, Munir A Malik and Ali Ahmad Kurd, and Liaqat Baloch are under arrest since November 3, when state of emergency was imposed in the country.

Mr Wajihuddin in a letter to the court had made it clear that his petition could not be argued because constitution was already in abeyance and fundamental rights suspended.

However, the court refused to accept the letter and sent it back.

The 11-member bench of the court, which was hearing petition before imposition of emergency had allowed the government to hold presidential elections, in which Gen Musharraf won. However, it had directed to withhold official notification of the result till final decision on the petitions.

UNI