Pakistan bars Musharraf from contesting in Kasur constituency

Pakistan’s election commission has barred former President Pervez Musharraf from contesting polls in Kasur constituency while a treason complaint against him is to be probed.

The commission barred Musharraf on Friday from contesting the May 11 general election in Kasur in Punjab Province because of court cases against him.

“Musharraf has been disqualified under articles 62 and 63 of the constitution, among other reasons,” an election commission official said on condition of anonymity. The official was referring to clauses that require a candidate to be “of good character”, among other things.

He could also be disqualified from taking part in the upcoming general elections in three other constituencies.

A petition which will be heard by the Supreme Court on Monday accuses Musharraf of committing treason when he sacked senior judges in 2007 – because they opposed plans to extend the general’s term in office – and declared emergency rule while in power.

Musharraf, who is accused of not declaring all of his assets, also faces charges of failing to provide adequate security to slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto before her assassination in 2007.

The former president returned to Pakistan in March after nearly four years of self-imposed exile in London and Dubai, despite death threats from the Pakistani Taliban and the possibility of various charges against him.

If qualified to run in the election, Musharraf will compete again former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the man he ousted in a coup in 1999.