Pakistani Lawyer Clash With Riot Police Over Musharraf Nomination

by merrie | September 29, 2007 at 03:46 am

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After the Election Commission approved 5 of the forth-three candidates, one of which was
nominated by a coalition of attorneys and another nominee was Musharraf. There are
objections
to President Musharraf run for re-election because he still retain his
military post as General. About 200 lawyers responded to the court
ruling by burning the court documents. Scenes of chaos broke out as
security forces fired tear gas shells at the protesters and one officer
used a tree
branch to beat protesters.

It was the first protest since a crackdown on the opposition began a week ago. The government defended the arrests of hundreds of opposition activists nationwide as necessary to maintain law and order in the face of promised street protests.

But the chief justice ordered their immediate release after security forces sealed off the capital Thursday, when Musharraf's nomination papers were filed.

Despite dwindling popularity and increasingly bitter opposition, Musharraf, a close U.S. ally, appears set to win the Oct. 6 vote. The general's main challenger is Ahmed.