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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Key Musharraf decision expected | Key Musharraf decision expected |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pakistan's Supreme Court is expected to decide whether President Pervez Musharraf can run for re-election while holding the position of army chief. | Pakistan's Supreme Court is expected to decide whether President Pervez Musharraf can run for re-election while holding the position of army chief. |
| Gen Musharraf registered for the ballot on Thursday. | |
| The main opposition alliance has announced a parliamentary boycott in protest at Gen Musharraf's plans to stand again for office. | The main opposition alliance has announced a parliamentary boycott in protest at Gen Musharraf's plans to stand again for office. |
| The alliance said its members would resign from parliament and the four provincial assemblies on 2 October. | The alliance said its members would resign from parliament and the four provincial assemblies on 2 October. |
| "The nine judges hearing the petitions are expected to deliver a ruling after the final arguments on Friday," a Supreme Court official told AFP news agency. | "The nine judges hearing the petitions are expected to deliver a ruling after the final arguments on Friday," a Supreme Court official told AFP news agency. |
| Gen Musharraf's lawyers have said he will stand down as army chief if he is elected for another presidential term. | Gen Musharraf's lawyers have said he will stand down as army chief if he is elected for another presidential term. |
| We have reached a consensus decision to resign from parliament Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MMA leader Timeline: Political rivals Order to free opposition | We have reached a consensus decision to resign from parliament Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MMA leader Timeline: Political rivals Order to free opposition |
| 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. |
| Earlier this week the United States called on Gen Musharraf to ensure the election - due on 6 October - is free and fair. | Earlier this week the United States called on Gen Musharraf to ensure the election - due on 6 October - is free and fair. |
| He is a key ally in America's "war on terror" but observers say Washington is worried about his declining popularity and the increasing problems of militancy in the country. | He is a key ally in America's "war on terror" but observers say Washington is worried about his declining popularity and the increasing problems of militancy in the country. |
| Opposition parties and lawyers have been campaigning to remove President Musharraf since he sacked the chief justice in March. | Opposition parties and lawyers have been campaigning to remove President Musharraf since he sacked the chief justice in March. |
| Credibility question | Credibility question |
| Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a leader of the powerful MMA religious alliance, told a news conference in Peshawar on Thursday that the group had agreed to resign from parliament. | Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a leader of the powerful MMA religious alliance, told a news conference in Peshawar on Thursday that the group had agreed to resign from parliament. |
| Opposition leaders say the election is illegal | Opposition leaders say the election is illegal |
| The MMA is a major part of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) which was formed during protests earlier this year. | The MMA is a major part of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) which was formed during protests earlier this year. |
| It is in power in North West Frontier Province and is a coalition partner in government in Balochistan. | It is in power in North West Frontier Province and is a coalition partner in government in Balochistan. |
| The other main player in the APDM is the Pakistan Muslim League faction of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose power base is in Punjab province. | The other main player in the APDM is the Pakistan Muslim League faction of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose power base is in Punjab province. |
| Alliance leaders say they will collect resignations from their members in the various assemblies and submit them on 2 October. | Alliance leaders say they will collect resignations from their members in the various assemblies and submit them on 2 October. |
| The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the resignations are not enough to pose a legal or numerical problem for Gen Musharraf's re-election - and will in fact make it easier for him to demonstrate a clearer margin of parliamentary support. | The BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Karachi says the resignations are not enough to pose a legal or numerical problem for Gen Musharraf's re-election - and will in fact make it easier for him to demonstrate a clearer margin of parliamentary support. |
| KEY DATES 02 Oct: Date main opposition alliance to begin boycotting assemblies 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 | KEY DATES 02 Oct: Date main opposition alliance to begin boycotting assemblies 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 |
| But the move may help erode the credibility of an electoral exercise already steeped in controversies, our correspondent says. | But the move may help erode the credibility of an electoral exercise already steeped in controversies, our correspondent says. |
| If MPs from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of Benazir Bhutto, another former PM, also resign, the election could become a farce, he adds. | If MPs from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of Benazir Bhutto, another former PM, also resign, the election could become a farce, he adds. |
| The PPP is not a part of the main opposition alliance, and has been seeking a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf. | The PPP is not a part of the main opposition alliance, and has been seeking a power-sharing deal with Gen Musharraf. |
| As well as Gen Musharraf, a retired judge filed his nomination for the presidential ballot on Thursday. Analysts say he has little chance of winning. | As well as Gen Musharraf, a retired judge filed his nomination for the presidential ballot on Thursday. Analysts say he has little chance of winning. |
| The PPP also nominated a candidate, who it says will run if the Supreme Courts bars Gen Musharraf from standing and the election still goes ahead. | The PPP also nominated a candidate, who it says will run if the Supreme Courts bars Gen Musharraf from standing and the election still goes ahead. |