Pak SC to take up petitions against Musharraf
The SC judges comment that the court "could not be taken in or threatened by martial law or extra-constitutional measures", reports Kamal Siddiqi.
The Pakistani Supreme Court decided on Friday to resume hearings on the validity of General Pervez Musharraf's election as President. On Thursday, the Supreme Court judges commented that the court "could not be taken in or threatened by martial law or extra-constitutional measures".
An eleven-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Javed Iqbal also decided during the hearing of the case Friday to continue the hearing of the same case on Monday and Tuesday. The Supreme Court is hearing the case of President General Pervez Musharraf's eligibility for seeking a second term through the presidential election of October 6.
On Thursday evening, federal minister Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad said that the government would take "extraordinary steps" because of an "extraordinary situation" in the country. A government spokesman, however, clarified on Friday that no such measure was under review but high-level consultations were being held to review the situation in the country.
The country has been particularly stung by the terror attacks on military installations and personnel. Fierce clashes ensued between the militants and the law-enforcement agencies at Khwazakhela town in the volatile Swat valley. Sirajuddin, a spokesman for the militants has said 48 military personnel were in their custody. Some agency reports said the soldiers were later freed.
Missile strike
A missile strike destroyed an insurgent hideout in Pakistan's belt at a house once owned by the late military chief of the Taliban, killing nine people, witnesses and sources said. The attack happened in the North Waziristan tribal area.
The United States has denied it was involved in the attack.
Meawhile, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday Pakistan must go ahead with elections next year and the United States opposed any move by President Pervez Musharraf to impose martial law. "Pakistan needs to prepare for and hold free and fair elections," said the top US diplomat.