[JURIST] Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf [BBC profile] will only resign as chief of Pakistan's army following his reelection, government lawyer Sharifuddin Pirzada said Tuesday during proceedings in the Supreme Court of Pakistan [official website]. The high court is hearing petitions from opposition parties challenging Musharraf's dual role as president and army chief [JURIST report], as well as Musharraf's bid to avoid a general election by seeking reelection from the outgoing parliament and provincial assemblies. Pirzada said that Musharraf would resign from his army post after being elected but before being sworn in for another term as president, but opposition leaders immediately criticized the plan as unconstitutional.

On Monday, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) [official website] announced election rule changes [press release] that will allow Musharraf to remain as army chief while he runs for office. Earlier this month, members of the opposition began challenging Musharraf's dual role [JURIST report]. AP has more.