Musharraf Vows Elections

Responding to pressure from President Bush to hold elections and "take off your uniform," Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf promised today to hold parliamentary elections before February 15. He reiterated an earlier offer to step down as general, but only if the Supreme Court validates his October reelection. The justices who were to rule on the reelection are under house arrest; they've been replaced by judges loyal to Musharraf.

Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto urged Musharraf to release the judges and reconstitute the court. "We will accept the decision of that Supreme Court, which will be constitutional and includes those judges who are detained," she said. Police detained hundreds of Bhutto's supporters overnight and today, prompted by her plans for a large protest rally tomorrow. (More Pervez Musharraf stories.)