Pakistan Supreme Court Delays Election Results

by Mondoreb

An independent judiciary is sometimes a pain in the ass. And just not in the United States.

From the AP
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan was thrust into political uncertainty on the eve of its presidential election as the Supreme Court ruled Friday that no winner will be declared until it decides whether President Gen. Pervez Musharraf is an eligible candidate.

How will this affect U.S. relations with Pakistan, the War on Terror and the on-going battle to rid the wild mountain provinces on Pakistan's frontier of al-Qaeda operatives?

The surprise ruling jeopardizes Musharraf's bid to secure a new five-year term in Saturday's vote by lawmakers, in which he is heavily favored, and clouds the gathering prospect of a liberal, pro-U.S. alliance with former Premier Benazir Bhutto.

Musharraf's opponents in the election are contesting whether he can run for office while still serving as army chief, calling it unconstitutional. They had asked the Supreme Court to delay the vote.

Muscharraf's position has seemed a more than a bit shaky over the last several months. Observers wonder what it would mean if he were ousted in the electoral contest. Would he step down? And if he did, what policies would his sucessors put in place regarding the fight against al-Qaeda? The Pakistani Supreme Court is another pain that's been bothering Musharraf lately.
[image: cseserv.engr.scu.edu]

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