Pakistan Chief Justice Orders Release of Detained Opposition Supporters
27 September 2007
Pakistan's chief justice has ordered the government to release dozens of activists detained last week during a crackdown on protesters opposed to the re-election of President Pervez Musharraf.
The government has justified the arrests by saying the activists were threatening state institutions, including the Supreme Court.
Thursday's court order came as President Musharraf officially registered to run in the October 6 presidential ballot.
Meanwhile, hundreds of riot police and security forces were deployed around the capital, Islamabad, to prevent demonstrations.
Opposition activists are waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on legal challenges to General Musharraf's eligibility to run for office while remaining army chief.
The president's nomination papers were delivered to the Election Commission by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who said Thursday was a historic day for Pakistan.
Opposition leader Makhdoom Amin Faheem, the vice chairman of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, also filed nomination papers.
Pakistan's president is elected by the parliament and national and provincial assemblies - not by a direct vote.
General Musharraf has said he will stand down as army chief if he is elected to another presidential term, but, if not, he will keep his military post.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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