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Pak EC enlists 14 new parties;puts off decision on Musharraf's APML

June 16, 2011 14:41 IST

Pakistan's Election Commission has put off a decision on recognising former President Pervez Musharraf's All Pakistan Muslim League party due to objections over its name and symbol. However, it has registered 14 new political parties.

The poll panel, which held its first meeting on Wednesday after its recent reconstitution, did not consider the proposal for registering the APML as two parties had challenged its name and election symbol.

One of the objections was raised by the Pakistan Freedom Party. It contested APML's decision to use the eagle as its symbol. Leaders of the APML applied for recognition to the Election Commission in 2010.

Musharraf, currently living in self-exile in London and Dubai, formed the APML in 2010 with an eye on contesting the next general election scheduled for 2013.

Despite repeatedly saying that he intends to come back to Pakistan before the polls, Musharraf is yet to announce a date for his return.

An anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of five suspects charged with involvement in the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto recently issued a 'permanent arrest warrant' for Musharraf after he repeatedly spurned calls to cooperate with investigators.

Rezaul H Laskar in Islamabad
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