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Musharraf facing election rival Musharraf facing election rival
(9 minutes later)
A former Supreme Court judge is to stand against President Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan's October presidential election, supporters say.A former Supreme Court judge is to stand against President Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan's October presidential election, supporters say.
Wajihuddin Ahmad has to file his nomination by Thursday.Wajihuddin Ahmad has to file his nomination by Thursday.
Analysts say Mr Ahmad has little chance of beating Gen Musharraf. The president is chosen by parliament and the provincial assemblies.Analysts say Mr Ahmad has little chance of beating Gen Musharraf. The president is chosen by parliament and the provincial assemblies.
The Supreme Court is hearing a number of challenges to whether Gen Musharraf is eligible to stand.The Supreme Court is hearing a number of challenges to whether Gen Musharraf is eligible to stand.
Mr Ahmad's challenge to Gen Musharraf was announced by the president of the Supreme Court bar association, Munir Malik.Mr Ahmad's challenge to Gen Musharraf was announced by the president of the Supreme Court bar association, Munir Malik.
He was one of a number of Supreme Court judges who refused to sign an oath of allegiance to a new provisional constitution after Gen Musharraf's military coup of 1999.
The BBC's Ilyas Khan in Karachi says that, in general, Mr Ahmad's career has been clean and uncontroversial.
DetainedDetained
Meanwhile, police have clashed with opposition activists as the Supreme Court resumed its hearings.Meanwhile, police have clashed with opposition activists as the Supreme Court resumed its hearings.
Anti-Musharraf voices are getting stronger in PakistanAnti-Musharraf voices are getting stronger in Pakistan
About two dozen people were detained as they tried to mount a protest outside the court in Islamabad, witnesses said.About two dozen people were detained as they tried to mount a protest outside the court in Islamabad, witnesses said.
Roads leading to Islamabad have been closed and key opposition figures were detained over the weekend.Roads leading to Islamabad have been closed and key opposition figures were detained over the weekend.
The Supreme Court was asked to consider seven petitions challenging Gen Musharraf's right to stand in the poll, which the Election Commission says will take place on 6 October.The Supreme Court was asked to consider seven petitions challenging Gen Musharraf's right to stand in the poll, which the Election Commission says will take place on 6 October.
But opposition parties have asked the Supreme Court to declare him ineligible to run as long as he retains his powerful position as army chief.But opposition parties have asked the Supreme Court to declare him ineligible to run as long as he retains his powerful position as army chief.
General Musharraf has offered to resign from the military post, but only after he is voted in for a new five-year term.General Musharraf has offered to resign from the military post, but only after he is voted in for a new five-year term.
ArrestsArrests
Heavy security arrangements were put in place to prevent protesters from getting close to the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule this week.Heavy security arrangements were put in place to prevent protesters from getting close to the Supreme Court, which is expected to rule this week.
Roadblocks have been put in place on the main Grand Trunk Road in Attock, and commuters travelling between Punjab and North West Frontier Province are being checked.Roadblocks have been put in place on the main Grand Trunk Road in Attock, and commuters travelling between Punjab and North West Frontier Province are being checked.
Hundreds of activists belonging to the umbrella group of opposition parties, All Parties Democratic Movement, have been detained in recent weeks.Hundreds of activists belonging to the umbrella group of opposition parties, All Parties Democratic Movement, have been detained in recent weeks.
Police said the arrests were due to the "prevailing security threat"Police said the arrests were due to the "prevailing security threat"
They are from the PML-N party of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif and hard-line Islamists of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam.They are from the PML-N party of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif and hard-line Islamists of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam.
It is not known how many senior leaders have been held so far - estimates vary from four to 35.It is not known how many senior leaders have been held so far - estimates vary from four to 35.
Police officials said the opposition leaders had been taken into temporary custody for the maintenance of public order.Police officials said the opposition leaders had been taken into temporary custody for the maintenance of public order.
If the Supreme Court rules against Gen Musharraf, he is expected to either stand down or take emergency measures to hold onto power, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in IslamabadIf the Supreme Court rules against Gen Musharraf, he is expected to either stand down or take emergency measures to hold onto power, reports the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad
If it rules in his favour, he will submit his nomination papers, beginning the countdown to the October election.If it rules in his favour, he will submit his nomination papers, beginning the countdown to the October election.
Observers believe the second scenario is more likely, but then opposition parties have threatened to resign from parliament and take to the streets in protest.Observers believe the second scenario is more likely, but then opposition parties have threatened to resign from parliament and take to the streets in protest.