How long can Musharraf hang on?

Did you ever wonder exactly why Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf tried to sack his chief justice, Iftikahr Chaudhry? Here's why, according to Zahid Hussain and Peter Wonacott of the Wall Street Journal: Before the presidential vote, the Supreme Court is also expected to weigh in on several petitions challenging Gen. Musharraf's legal right to campaign ...

Did you ever wonder exactly why Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf tried to sack his chief justice, Iftikahr Chaudhry? Here's why, according to Zahid Hussain and Peter Wonacott of the Wall Street Journal:

Did you ever wonder exactly why Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf tried to sack his chief justice, Iftikahr Chaudhry? Here's why, according to Zahid Hussain and Peter Wonacott of the Wall Street Journal:

Before the presidential vote, the Supreme Court is also expected to weigh in on several petitions challenging Gen. Musharraf's legal right to campaign for president while serving as the head of the army. These petitions, filed by political opponents, contend that the constitution bars this dual role. The Supreme Court backed an amendment to the constitution that allowed Gen. Musharraf to hold both posts during his current term. He has said he plans to hold both posts if he is re-elected. "Uniform has a legal force," Gen. Musharraf told some members of Parliament last week.

But some predict the Supreme Court will now disagree. "The law is very clear on this issue, and there is absolutely no possibility of a court ruling in his favor," said Iqbal Haider, a former federal law minister.

Already, a reinstated Chadhry has hailed the "inalienable right" of Nawaz Sharif, the man whom Musharraf ousted back in 1999, to return from exile. Any guesses on where the court will rule on the uniform question? For a U.S. administration that is nervous about a resurgent al Qaeda and is busy trying to convince Musharraf to share power with Benazir Bhutto, things are getting a little out of hand. Your move, George.

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