Musharraf's party to boycott May elections

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ISLAMABAD, May 3 (UPI) -- The political party of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said Friday it would not participate in elections scheduled for May 11.

The announcement was made after documents Musharraf filed to run for president were rejected by all the provinces and he was given a lifetime ban on running for office, Dawn newspaper reported.

Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad, Muhammad Amjad, a spokesman for the All Pakistan Muslim League, said, "Gen. Musharraf will face all cases against him and will not run away from any charges."

Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted as prime minister by Musharraf in 1999, vowed Thursday he would eliminate all militant wings of political parties if his party, PML-N was returned to power in the May elections, The News International reported.

He claimed no political party in Punjab had military wings and that the election in that province was proceeding peacefully.

He said the ruling PPP party had left the country in crisis, with unemployment, lawlessness and corruption.