Pak EC enlists 14 new parties; puts off decision on Mush's APML
Pakistan's Election Commission has put off a decision on recognising former President Pervez Musharraf's APML party due to objections over its name and symbol, though it registered 14 new political parties.
Pakistan's Election Commission has put off a decision on recognising former President Pervez Musharraf's APML party due to objections over its name and symbol, though it registered 14 new political parties.
The poll panel, which held its first meeting yesterday after its recent reconstitution, did not consider the proposal for registering the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) as two parties had challenged its name and election symbol.
One of the objections was raised by the Pakistan Freedom Party, which contested the APML's move to use the eagle as its symbol.
The Election Commission enlisted 14 new parties during the meeting.
Musharraf, currently living in self-exile in London and Dubai, formed the APML last year with an eye to contesting the next general election scheduled for 2013.
Despite saying repeatedly that he intends to come back to Pakistan before the polls, Musharraf is yet to announce a firm date for his return.
Leaders of the APML applied for recognition to the Election Commission last year.
An anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of five suspects charged with involvement in the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto recently issued a "permanent arrest warrant" for Musharraf after he repeatedly spurned calls to cooperate with investigators.