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Musharraf re-election forms filed Court orders Pakistan releases
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan's prime minister has filed papers nominating President Pervez Musharraf to contest indirect presidential elections on 6 October. Pakistan's top judge has ordered the immediate release of detained opposition figures who were taken into custody over the weekend.
Shaukat Aziz and other senior figures from the government filed the papers. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry made the ruling after summoning police and government officials to court.
The Supreme Court is set to decide whether Gen Musharraf can stand for elections while holding the posts of president and army chief. Pakistan's PM on Thursday filed papers naming Gen Musharraf to contest presidential elections on 6 October.
The Supreme Court is to decide whether he can stand for election while holding the posts of president and army chief.
Gen Musharraf has said he will stay on as head of the army if he is not elected for another presidential term.Gen Musharraf has said he will stay on as head of the army if he is not elected for another presidential term.
Without delay
"The court has ordered authorities to free political workers and leaders who were taken into custody for the maintenance of public order," a senior police officer who attended the court hearing told the AFP news agency.
KEY DATES 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 Timeline: Political rivals
He said that Chief Justice Chaudhry - who was reinstated in August after Gen Musharraf tried to sack him - said that the men should be released without delay.
Chief Justice Chaudhry also demanded to know who authorised the closure of roads into the capital to stop protests against Gen Musharraf.
At least 200 people were arrested over the weekend. The government defended the detentions as necessary to maintain law and order.
The court order came as Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other senior figures from the government filed President Musharraf's papers for the indirect vote on 6 October.
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.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.
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 The chief justice has been at loggerheads with the president
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.
"This is a significant day for Pakistan," he told a TV reporter."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."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.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 Gen (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.
Opponents of Gen Musharraf want him out now
Retired judge Wajihuddin Ahmed has also filed his nomination for the presidential ballot. Analysts say he has little chance of beating Gen Musharraf.Retired judge Wajihuddin Ahmed has also filed his nomination for the presidential ballot. Analysts say he has little chance of beating Gen Musharraf.
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.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.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.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.
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.