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Musharraf Set to Restore Constitution*

*But he'll tweak it first to ensure he can't be prosecuted

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 13, 2007 7:09 AM CST
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(Newser) – Pervez Musharraf is set to lift Pakistan's state of emergency Saturday, but he's not going to take any guff for it—the president will only restore the constitution if it is first amended so he can't be tried for actions during the past 6 weeks of emergency rule. As lawyers held more protests against the former general, Pakistan's AG told the AP that legal experts were polishing the tweaks.

Musharraf acknowledges that he has breached Pakistan's constitution, but argues that he had no choice in the face of a hostile judiciary. As Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif hit the campaign trail, 1,000 lawyers gathered in Lahore today to urge a boycott of January's parliamentary elections unless the deposed chief justice and other sacked judges are reinstated.

People protest against Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for imposing the state of emergency, in Lahore, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo)
People protest against Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for imposing the state of emergency, in Lahore, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. (AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former PM Nawaz Sharif is seen during an election campaign stop in Sialkot, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. Sharif urged people to reject candidates from Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf's ruling party and claimed this election would prove to be a final blow to the crumbling wall of Musharraf's government....
Pakistan's former PM Nawaz Sharif is seen during an election campaign stop in Sialkot, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. Sharif urged people to reject candidates from Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf's...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto arrives at Karachi airport on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. Both Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have hit the campaign trail this week after abandoning threats to boycott the Jan. 8 elections. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto arrives at Karachi airport on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. Both Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif have hit the campaign trail this week after abandoning threats to boycott...   (Associated Press)
In a file photo Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf talks to reporters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Nov. 14, 2007. Musharraf will lift Pakistan's state of emergency on Saturday only after changing the constitution to ensure that he cannot be hauled before a court, a senior official said Thursday, Dec. 13,...
In a file photo Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf talks to reporters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Nov. 14, 2007. Musharraf will lift Pakistan's state of emergency on Saturday only after changing...   (Associated Press)
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Opinion poll says most want Musharraf to quit
New York Times

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry • Pakistan Supreme Court • Nawaz Sharif • emergency rule

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