Court bans Pervez Musharraf from politics for life

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ISLAMABAD, April 30 (UPI) -- Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has been banned for life from holding elective office, a regional court ruled Tuesday.

Musharraf has faced a string of setbacks since returning from a four-year self-imposed exile in hopes of crafting a political comeback. He is being held on house arrest stemming from his conviction for illegally jailing several judges in 2007 and later suspending the nation's constitution because of security concerns.

Critics said Musharraf, a former general, suspended the constitution to tighten his hold on power and jailed judges whose rulings opposed his administration's actions, the Los Angeles Times said.

Musharraf hoped to appear on the May 11 parliamentary election ballot but officials refused. He appealed to the Peshawar high court who not only slapped back the request but handed down the lifetime ban.

Musharraf's lawyer said he plans an appeal to the Pakistani Supreme Court.