Musharraf files nomination papers without his army rank

Pakistans Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has filed nomination papers of President Pervez Musharraf without mentioning his army rank to contest the presidential elections.

Islamabad, Sep 27 : Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has filed nomination papers of President Pervez Musharraf without mentioning his army rank to contest the presidential elections.

Information minister Tariq Azim said that Musharraf's forms carry his name without his army rank, quashing speculation that the President has described himself as General (retired) Pervez Musharraf.

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.

"This is a significant day for Pakistan," the BBC quoted Aziz, as saying.

Private media was not allowed to cover the event.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up to prevent untoward incidents.

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has completely cordoned off Constitutional Avenue right from Convention Centre Chowk to the Margalla Hills for all kinds of traffic. The entry of public has also been banned from Thursday to Saturday.

Only candidates or their proposers and seconders are being allowed to enter the Election Commission, while special arrangements have been made for media representatives.

Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah told reporters on Wednesday that foolproof security would prevail inside and outside the Election Commission.

Musharraf's lawyer has told the Supreme Court that he would resign as head of the army if he were elected President for another term.

General Musharraf will stay on as head of the army if he is not elected for another presidential term, his lawyer has told the Supreme Court.

Political analysts say that Musharraf's nomination papers were filed amid political uncertainty in Pakistan.

The Supreme Court is set to decide today whether he can stand for election while holding the posts of both President and Army Chief.

Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum has denied that President had any plans to impose martial law if his re-election strategy did not go according to plan.

Critics have said that Musharraf is determined to cling to power, either as President or Army Chief, or both.

ANI