Musharraf calls for political reconciliation

BBC: Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has called for political reconciliation and dialogue within the country. The remarks came overnight after a Supreme Court ruling on Thursday allowed the return of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Gen Musharraf deposed Mr Sharif in a coup in October 1999 and forced him and his family into exile in 2000. "Political reconciliation and national consensus is the need of the hour," President Pervez Musharraf said.

Gen Musharraf's comments came just hours after the Supreme Court, headed by a judge the president tried to remove, ruled that Mr Sharif and his family could return to Pakistan.

Musharraf tried to sack Iftikhar chaudhry back in March. The attempt to sack Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was aimed at taming a judiciary seen as increasingly independent. It backfired as Mr Chaudhry fought the charges in court and won.

Months of protests have seriously weakened President Musharraf and led to speculation that emergency rule might be imposed. If that were to happen, it would severely limit the power of the courts. Meanwhile, the judiciary continues to pursue cases in which the government is accused of over-reaching its authority.