Can Pakistan survive Musharraf?

The world is watching with bated breath:



Pakistan's Supreme Court is in conflict with the Pakistan government:

Islamabad, Pakistan (AHN) - The government of Pakistan was ordered by the country's Supreme Court to release at least 100 opposition workers who were arrested at the weekend to stop protests against President Pervez Musharraf, officials said on Friday.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry gave the order after summoning officials to the high court. Chaudhry is well known opposition icon since Musharraf failed to sack him in March.

The activists ordered released were seized after threatening to hold demonstrations against Musharraf's plans to be re-elected as president for another five years in a poll on Oct. 6.

Javed Hashmi, the acting chief of exiled former premier Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party, and several key leaders of hard-line Islamic parties is expected to be freed a senior police office, who was present during the special hearing, said on Friday.

The police officer said the detainees were taken into custody for the maintenance of public order. The move was highly condemned by the United States, a well know Musharraf ally, stating that such arrest were extremely uncalled for and disturbing. The European Union and Canada also expressed concern.

The government justified such move claiming that the opposition had threatened institutions including the Supreme Court and the Election Commission.

During Musharraf's filing of nomination for the presidential election on Thursday Pakistani authorities clamped tight security on the capital blocking all roads into the capital.

Yet Musharraf has obtained 'permission' to keep his uniform:

Pakistan's Supreme Court says President Pervez Musharraf can stand for election next week despite still being head of the country's army.

It dismissed a number of legal challenges to his right to hold both posts at the same time.

Gen Musharraf registered for the forthcoming ballot on Thursday.

The main opposition alliance say it will boycott the poll. The president is chosen by the national parliament and the four provincial assemblies.

Friday's verdict is a serious blow to opposition parties, especially as the Supreme Court has handed down a number of key verdicts against the government in recent years.

And Musharraf's opponents wait eagerly in the wings:

By announcing her return to the country a month in advance, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto seems to be taking one last chance with the government.

For a year she has been talking to the country's military ruler, President Pervez Musharraf, to work out a formula for free and fair elections and the return of democracy to the country.

But talks have stalled.

On Friday, her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) announced that she would return to the country on 18 October, deal or no deal.

Even though the end result might be forced and immediate deportation like what Sharif experienced.

Meanwhile, al-Qaeda and the Taliban grow stronger:

Islamabad, Pakistan (AHN) - A soldier was killed, while 12 others were wounded after a roadside bomb hit a Pakistani security force convoy on Friday in the northwestern region.

Major General Waheed Arshad, Chief Military Spokesman said the convoy was travelling between the towns of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan when they it was attacked.

If Pakistan explodes, the nukes will be up for grabs. Just so you know....