Musharraf may be sworn in for 2nd term next week

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is likely to be sworn in for a second five-year term next week following the dismissal of the final legal challenge to his re-election by the Supreme Court, attorney general Malik Qayyum said.

Qayyum also said the emergency clamped by the general on November 3 was a temporary measure and would be lifted soon.

The military ruler would be sworn in for his second term two or three days after the court issues a written order validating his victory in the October 6 presidential poll, Qayyum said after the apex court packed with Musharraf's hand-picked judges threw out the final legal challenge to his re-election in uniform.

"I expect he will be sworn in next week," he told Dawn News channel, adding the election commission would also have to formally notify Musharraf's victory in the election and the federal government would have to issue a notification for his swearing-in by the chief justice.

Asked about the lifting of the emergency, Qayyum said, "Of course it has to be lifted. Emergency is not a permanent measure, it is a temporary measure."

"It will be lifted when the law and order situation returns to normal. It will be lifted soon, may be sooner than you expect," he said.