Musharraf's candidacy in doubt

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Pakistan's Supreme Court is being cited as the major obstacle to another five-year term for U.S. ally Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

Senior figures in Musharraf's ruling party are warning that a newfound independence by the chief justice may result in a ruling that Musharraf's nomination for president is unconstitutional, The International Herald Tribune reported Friday.

Since most of the opposition party objections to Musharraf's nomination involve the constitution, the matter will likely go the country's supreme court.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has made it clear in speeches that he is determined to uphold the law that sets a limit of two consecutive terms for president.

At issue is whether Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and subsequently won election in a 2002 referendum, has already served two terms, the Herald Tribune said.