But Musharraf bolstered his position by signing a landmark reconciliation deal with exiled former premier Benazir Bhutto that paves the way for a power-sharing deal between two US-friendly political leaders.

Musharraf, who seized power of nuclear-armed Pakistan in 1999, needs Bhutto’s support to legitimise his expected victory in the weekend’s vote by an electoral college of the national and provincial parliaments.

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the poll could proceed despite challenges by his two rival candidates on the validity of the poll and Musharraf’s eligibility to stand.

Yet it delivered a blow to Musharraf by saying that the election commission cannot announce the result until it decides on those appeals in a hearing due to start in mid-October.

Election schedule
“The bench has unanimously resolved and directed that the election process should proceed as per the schedule announced by the chief election commissioner,” judge Javed Iqbal said.

“But final notification of the returning candidate will not be issued until the decision of this petition, for which the process is to begin from October 17,” he added.

Musharraf has been in conflict with the court since sparking protests by sacking its chief justice in March.
The ruling could delay former commando Musharraf’s plans to shed his military role — a position he has said is vital for fighting al-Qaeda — and finally become a civilian ruler before he takes the oath of office.

He had promised to do so by November 15 when his term ends and was expected to do so much earlier, possibly by Monday, but may now feel he needs the army behind him in case of a hostile court ruling.

Bhutto on Thursday made an about-face on a threat that MPs from her Pakistan People’s Party would follow other opposition legislators and resign from parliament.

Their votes could be crucial if it appears that the Supreme Court verdict will go against Musharraf needs to make constitutional amendments that would overcome legal challenges.

The deal signed by Musharraf on Friday, quashes all of the corruption cases against Bhutto that drove her into exile eight years ago.

The withdrawal of the charges, which involve millions of dollars in alleged graft, prepares the ground for Bhutto’s planned homecoming on October 18 ahead of parliamentary elections that are due by early 2008.

No amnesty for Sharif
The deal also gives an amnesty for other politicians accused of corruption in Pakistan between between 1988 and 1999. But it does not apply to ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, whom Musharraf ousted, because he was convicted of a crime and because the cases against him date from 2000.