Gen mulls emergency to stay in power: official

The comments came on the same day that nearly simultaneous bombs tore through a market and a bus in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, killing 25 people and injuring more than 60 others in attacks that seemed to target the Pakistani military. The bus, operated by the Defence Ministry, was taking employees of Pakistan’s influential Inter Services Intelligence branch to work at the time of the blast, according to witnesses and officials.

Hussain’s comments also came as government negotiators made a last-ditch effort to strike a deal with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Officials from both sides said there had been progress during talks in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, though they also indicated that a significant gulf remained between the two parties. Among the stumbling blocks was whether Bhutto would be eligible for a third term as prime minister.

With elections looming, political factions in Pakistan are embroiled in high-stakes maneuvering that could have vast implications for the future of the country. Musharraf, who has run Pakistan since a military-led coup in 1999, is seeking reelection by the parliament and provincial assemblies this month. But as opposition to his government builds, he must overcome significant legal and political hurdles.

According to the constitution, government employees have to resign and wait two years before they are eligible to run for president. Musharraf is considered a government employee because he remains chief of the army.

Without Bhutto’s support for a parliamentary waiver of the requirement, many think the SC will declare Musharraf’s candidacy invalid.

A case challenging his eligibility is due to be heard on Wednesday, with Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry leading the bench.