Former president Pervez Musharraf is set to file nomination papers to contest elections for Pakistan’s Parliament after the Supreme Court allowed him to do so.
He will contest from the Karachi South-II constituency in the southern port city.
The nomination papers will reportedly be sent to Dubai, where he currently lives in self-exile, for signature.
If his nomination papers are accepted, a five-way contest is expected between Mustafa Kamal of the Pak Sarzameen Party, Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, rights activist Jibran Nasir and Mutahidda Qaumi Movement-Pakistan chief Farooq Sattar.
Meanwhile, both Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be contesting from different Karachi seats.
The Supreme Court, which heard Musharraf’s appeal against a Peshawar high court verdict disqualifying him for life for promulgating Emergency in November, 2007, has allowed the former dictator to return to Pakistan unhindered.
The court also said the former president would not be arrested.
Alluding to an earlier statement by deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on Saturday said that Musharraf’s return to the country should not be construed as a threat by any individual.
“How can Musharraf harm anyone?,” the chief justice asked during the hearing at the Karachi registry, adding, “We have summoned Musharraf but people feel threatened by his return.”
{{/usCountry}}“How can Musharraf harm anyone?,” the chief justice asked during the hearing at the Karachi registry, adding, “We have summoned Musharraf but people feel threatened by his return.”
{{/usCountry}}The court also allowed the returning officers to receive his nomination papers for the upcoming election. However, acceptance of his nomination papers will be subject to the outcome of this case.
Meanwhile the National Registration and Database Authority suspended the computerised national identity card (CNIC) of Musharraf.
With the suspension of his CNIC, by default, his passport would also be suspended which in turn would not allow Musharraf to travel in any country, due to which his stay in Dubai also becomes illegal.
Officials have said that the former president has very limited options: he can either seek political asylum or have special documents arranged if he desires to return to Pakistan.