Challenge for Musharraf re-election bid?

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 22 (UPI) -- The reinstatement of Pakistani Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry could upset President Pervez Musharraf's re-election bid.

Musharraf, under pressure because of mounting militant violence in the country, suffered a setback last week when the Supreme Court ruled his suspension of Chaudhry for alleged abuse of office was illegal and ordered the judge's reinstatement.

Opposition political parties planned to file legal challenges to stop Musharraf -- who gained power in 1999 in a bloodless coup -- from seeking another term as president in this year's elections while also remaining the military chief, The New York Times reported.

The high court, under the reinstated Chaudhry, may also consider whether Musharraf can be elected by parliament prior to the elections.

Meanwhile, a senior White House official indicated the United States hasn't ruled out strikes in Pakistani tribal areas against resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida forces.

The Washington Post quoted U.S. homeland security adviser Frances Townsend as telling "Fox News Sunday" that "just because we don't speak about things publicly doesn't mean we're not doing many of the things you're talking about."

But Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri told CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer" that the United States shouldn't take any unilateral action.