ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Pakistani opposition to President Pervez Musharraf, shocked by his court win to seek re-election while still military head, considered its next steps Saturday.
Its numerous challenges to stop Gen. Musharraf, who took power in 1999 in a bloodless military coup, from keeping both his titles as president and military chief in the run up to the poll next month were rejected in a 6-3 ruling Friday by a Supreme Court panel.
The opposition can now either start a new legal fight against the Election Commission or build public pressure against Musharraf's candidacy in the Oct. 6 election which will be decided in balloting by parliament and national assembly lawmakers, the BBC said.
Musharraf has pledged to resign his military post if re-elected, but his lawyers have said he will stay as army chief if he is not elected.
Britain’s Telegraph quoted one opposition lawmaker as saying, “Now our fight against dictatorship will be on the streets.”
The New York Times said although the high court has become more independent since the reinstatement of a dismissed chief justice, most of 13 justices remain pro-government as they were all appointed during Musharraf’s rule.
