Musharraf barred from Kasur constituency, faces treason trial

Pakistan’s election board barred yesterday former President Pervez Musharraf from contesting polls in one constituency and the Supreme Court agreed to look into a treason complaint against him, hurting his efforts to win back influence.
The Election Commission barred Musharraf from the polls in Kasur in Punjab province because of court cases against him, commission officials said. He could also face disqualification in the three other constituencies where he plans to run.
The officials also said the decision was based on a clause in the constitution which requires candidates to be of good character and the fact that he had not declared all of his assets.
“Musharraf has been disqualified under articles 62 and 63 of the constitution, among other reasons,” an election commission official said, referring to clauses that require a candidate to be “of good character,” among other things.
Neither Musharraf nor a spokesman for him was available for comment.
Musharraf faces charges of failing to provide adequate security to former Premier Benazir Bhutto.
He also faces accusations in connection with the death of a separatist leader in the southwestern province of Baluchistan. He denies any wrongdoing.
A petition which will be heard by the Supreme Court on Monday accuses Musharraf of committing treason when he sacked senior judges and declared emergency rule while in power.