This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7015568.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Musharraf re-election forms filed Musharraf re-election forms filed
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan's prime minister has filed papers nominating President Pervez Musharraf to contest the presidential elections on 6 October. Pakistan's prime minister has filed papers nominating President Pervez Musharraf to contest indirect presidential elections on 6 October.
Shaukat Aziz and other senior figures from the government filed the papers at the Election Commission in Islamabad. Shaukat Aziz and other senior figures from the government filed the papers.
"This is a significant day for Pakistan," Mr Aziz told a TV reporter. The Supreme Court is set to decide whether Gen Musharraf can stand for elections while holding the posts of president and army chief.
General Musharraf will stay on as head of the army if he is not elected for another presidential term, his lawyer has told the Supreme Court. Gen Musharraf has said he will stay on as head of the army if he is not elected for another presidential term.
Correspondents say Gen Musharraf's nomination papers were filed amid political uncertainty in Pakistan. Correspondents say Gen Musharraf's nomination papers were filed amid political uncertainty in Pakistan - growing opposition to military rule has also come to a head.
The Supreme Court is set to decide whether he can stand for election while holding the posts of both president and army chief. KEY DATES 27 Sep: President Musharraf files nomination papers for presidential election 29 Sep: Date some opposition parties to begin boycotting parliament 06 Oct: Presidential vote to be held, election commission says 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held
Growing opposition to military rule has also come to a head.
KEY DATES 27 Sep: President Musharraf files nomination papers for presidential election 29 Sep: Date some opposition parties to begin boycotting parliament 06 Oct: Presidential vote to be held, election commission says 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Oct: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held
The US has called on Gen Musharraf to ensure that forthcoming elections are free and fair.The US has called on Gen Musharraf to ensure that forthcoming elections are free and fair.
Prime Minister Aziz said he was confident that the president would win the election.Prime Minister Aziz said he was confident that the president would win the election.
"President Pervez Musharraf is the candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League and its allies and we are fully confident that he will succeed and this will be very important for Pakistan and the region," Reuters quoted him as saying. "This is a significant day for Pakistan," he told a TV reporter.
"President Pervez Musharraf is the candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League and its allies and we are fully confident that he will succeed," Reuters quoted him as saying.
Pakistan's president is not elected by the people, but by a ballot of federal and provincial assemblies.
'Troubling''Troubling'
Pakistan federal information minister Tariq Azim said Gen Musharraf's forms carry his name without his army rank, quashing speculation that the president has described himself as General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan federal information minister Tariq Azim said Gen Musharraf's forms carry his name without his army rank, quashing speculation that the president has described himself as Gen (Retired) Pervez Musharraf.
Facing Supreme Court challenges, Gen Musharraf has promised that he would resign as head of the army if he were elected president for another term. Retired judge Wajihuddin Ahmed has also filed his nomination for the presidential ballot. Analysts say he has little chance of beating Gen Musharraf.
Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum has denied the president had any plans to impose martial law if his re-election strategy did not go according to plan. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of Benazir Bhutto is also expected to nominate a candidate, who it says will run if the Supreme Courts bars Gen Musharraf from standing and the election still goes ahead.
Facing Supreme Court challenges, Gen Musharraf has promised to resign as head of the army if he is elected president for another term.
Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum has denied the president has any plans to impose martial law if his re-election strategy does not go according to plan.
In recent days security forces have arrested hundreds of activists and blocked roads leading to the capital.In recent days security forces have arrested hundreds of activists and blocked roads leading to the capital.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US government, a close ally of President Musharraf, found the detentions "troubling".Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US government, a close ally of President Musharraf, found the detentions "troubling".
Correspondents say the big question now is what happens if he is not elected.Correspondents say the big question now is what happens if he is not elected.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the general is determined to prevent the opposition from taking to the streets to protest against his election bid.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the general is determined to prevent the opposition from taking to the streets to protest against his election bid.
Critics have said he is determined to cling to power, either as president or army chief, or both.Critics have said he is determined to cling to power, either as president or army chief, or both.