Musharraf rival Sharif excluded from elections

Pakistan opposition leader and leading critic of President Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif, has been barred from next month’s parliamentary elections by the official supervising body.

A judge acting as the returning officer in the eastern city of Lahore, upheld objections from other candidates that Mr Sharif was ineligible and rejected his nomination papers..

Mr Sharif’s lawyer said they were considering an appeal to a tribunal composed of high court judges.

“This decision has been made under pressure. This shows how free and fair the elections will be,” said Imtiaz Kaifi.

An eventual disqualification of Mr Sharif could deepen the political crisis in Pakistan triggered by President Musharraf’s imposition a month ago of emergency rule.

Mr Sharif, a former prime minister twice, was already pushing for an opposition boycott of the ballot because of Mr Musharraf’s use of emergency powers to sack leading judges and secure his own continued rule.

Candidates seeking to contest the same National Assembly seat in Lahore had complained that Mr Sharif was ineligible because of prior convictions.

Mr Sharif was convicted on charges relating to the 1999 coup, in which Mr Musharraf overthrew his government. Rivals also complained about his involvement in a corruption case.