Musharraf disqualified from election

PESHAWAR - The Associated Press

Former President Musharraf can appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court. AFP photo

Pakistani judges disqualified April 16 Pervez Musharraf from running in the upcoming parliamentary election, a blow to the former military ruler who recently returned from self-imposed exile to make a political comeback.

Over a week ago, a judge in northern district of Chitral gave Musharraf approval to run in the May 11 election, even though he was disqualified in three other districts for suspending the constitution and sacking senior judges while in power. Pakistan’s political system allows a candidate to run for multiple seats simultaneously. Lawyers challenged the decision in Chitral, and a three-member appellate tribunal disqualified Musharraf from running in the district. Musharraf can appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court, according to experts. The tribunal’s decision is one of the biggest blows in what has been a bumpy return for Musharraf after over four years in self-imposed exile.