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Court resumes Musharraf hearings Court resumes Musharraf hearings
(20 minutes later)
Pakistan's Supreme Court has resumed hearings on whether President Pervez Musharraf's election earlier this month was constitutional.Pakistan's Supreme Court has resumed hearings on whether President Pervez Musharraf's election earlier this month was constitutional.
The court allowed the poll to go ahead despite petitions challenging his right to run while still army chief.The court allowed the poll to go ahead despite petitions challenging his right to run while still army chief.
But it has not validated the results, adding further to the political uncertainty gripping the country.But it has not validated the results, adding further to the political uncertainty gripping the country.
The hearings come a day before the exiled former PM Benazir Bhutto plans to return to Pakistan.The hearings come a day before the exiled former PM Benazir Bhutto plans to return to Pakistan.
Her return is part of a deal cut with Gen Musharraf allowing her to contest forthcoming parliamentary elections.Her return is part of a deal cut with Gen Musharraf allowing her to contest forthcoming parliamentary elections.
President Musharraf had asked Ms Bhutto to delay her return until the court reaches its verdict.President Musharraf had asked Ms Bhutto to delay her return until the court reaches its verdict.
But Ms Bhutto told journalists in Dubai on Wednesday that she will go ahead with her return on Thursday, ending years of self-imposed exile. But Ms Bhutto told journalists in Dubai on Wednesday that she will go ahead with her return on Thursday.
"At this time tomorrow, we'll be on board the plane to Karachi, which is a day that I and all the people in Pakistan who love democracy and believe in fundamental human rights, have been waiting for," she said. Her Pakistan People's Party is hoping that hundreds of thousands of supporters will greet her in Karachi when she ends years of self-imposed exile.
Her Pakistan People's Party is hoping that hundreds of thousands of supporters will greet her in Karachi
ChallengesChallenges
Parliament gave Gen Musharraf another term as president by a clear majority on 6 October.Parliament gave Gen Musharraf another term as president by a clear majority on 6 October.
But he has not been able to take the oath of office because the Supreme Court has yet to rule on petitions filed by rival contenders challenging his candidacy.But he has not been able to take the oath of office because the Supreme Court has yet to rule on petitions filed by rival contenders challenging his candidacy.
They argue he was not eligible to run for president while still army chief.They argue he was not eligible to run for president while still army chief.
The court hearings are expected to continue for several days, perhaps more than a week.The court hearings are expected to continue for several days, perhaps more than a week.
KEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential polls held 17 Oct: Supreme Court resumes hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-JanuaryKEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential polls held 17 Oct: Supreme Court resumes hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January
Most analysts do not expect the court to disqualify Gen Musharraf at this stage, but if it does the political crisis in Pakistan could deepen.Most analysts do not expect the court to disqualify Gen Musharraf at this stage, but if it does the political crisis in Pakistan could deepen.
There are fears the general might invoke emergency measures to stay in power.There are fears the general might invoke emergency measures to stay in power.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says Gen Musharraf appears to have been rattled by the Supreme Court which has ruled against the government several times in recent months.The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says Gen Musharraf appears to have been rattled by the Supreme Court which has ruled against the government several times in recent months.
Under a deal, Gen Musharraf has dropped corruption charges against Ms Bhutto - a stride towards an expected power-sharing arrangement.Under a deal, Gen Musharraf has dropped corruption charges against Ms Bhutto - a stride towards an expected power-sharing arrangement.
Gen Musharraf won all but five of the votes cast in parliament's two houses and swept the ballots in the four provincial assemblies on 6 October.Gen Musharraf won all but five of the votes cast in parliament's two houses and swept the ballots in the four provincial assemblies on 6 October.
Opposition MPs abstained or boycotted the vote, calling it unconstitutional.Opposition MPs abstained or boycotted the vote, calling it unconstitutional.
Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, at the same time as the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, at the same time as the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".