Pak SC to decide Gen’s fate within 12 days, rejects martial law fears

The Supreme Court is hearing challenges against his landslide victory in the October 6 presidential election, which was boycotted by most of the opposition.

“The case will be decided in 10 to 12 days,” he told the court.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, cannot claim to have won re-election for another five-year term until the court decides. The general has not ruled out imposing martial law if the judgement goes against him.

The court started on Wednesday hearing petitions against Musharraf’s victory lodged by two candidates in the election who say Musharraf was ineligible to stand while he is still army chief.

The court had ruled earlier this month that the election could go ahead but the official result could not be announced until it resolved the challenges.

The general has vowed to step down as army chief and become a civilian ruler once his victory is declared official.

His current term finishes on November 15. Musharraf has been at loggerheads with the court since his failed bid in March to sack the chief justice, a move that sparked mass protests and a slump in popularity for the US ally.