Former Supreme Court judge files papers for Pak presidential polls

Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, today filed his nomination for the October 6 presidential poll.

Islamabad, Sept.27 : Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, today filed his nomination for the October 6 presidential poll.

Justice Ahmed, 68, was the only Supreme Court judge who refused to swear allegiance to Musharraf after his 1999 coup. He was asked to resign from his post. Had he been a part of the Supreme Court bench, he would have become the country's Chief Justice.

"At this time, we are setting out to perform a great national duty. The Lawyers Brotherhood has taken a very important responsibility on their shoulders in the greater interest of the nation and the country," Justice Ahmed said before filing his papers.

His lawyer supporters chanted "go Musharraf, go" as they escorted him towards the Election Commission.

Security was tight in Islamabad with a ring of police monitoring traffic passing through checkpoints and riot police standing by. Police were on guard outside the Supreme Court and in its compound.

The court is hearing petitions challenging Musharraf's right to retain the posts of president and army chief, the legality of being elected in uniform, and whether he can get a mandate from outgoing assemblies.

An electoral college made up of members of the National Assembly, Senate and provincial assemblies will vote for a president before the assemblies are dissolved for a general election due by mid-January.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz filed the nomination papers of President Pervez Musharraf for the October 6 presidential elections at the Election Commission.

Aziz, Pakistan Muslim League (PML) president Shujaat Hussain, the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, along with the proposers and the seconders of the President, submitted the papers on behalf of Musharraf.

Private media was not allowed to cover the event.

ANI