Former Pakistan dictator Pervez Musharraf announced run for 25 national elections

Pakistan’s former military dictator Pervez Musharraf declared on Saturday that he will move for a seat in parliament on July 25 national elections.

The announcement comes after the country’s Supreme Court conditionally consent Musharraf to return from Dubai, where he has been residing in self-exile to avoid arrest on criminal charges. Musharraf’s party said he will campaign for a seat representing the northern town of Chitral.

The party of popular longtime opposition politician Imran Khan announced he will move for a seat in the National Assembly, which was dissolved May 31 upon finishing its five-year term. Khan is in an attempt to become the next prime minister.

Khan’s party is anticipated to face a tough competition from candidates backed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who, due to corruption charges, eventually was disqualified from holding office in July by the Supreme Court.

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The party of former President Asif Ali Zardari is also fielding candidates across the country in hopes of getting a majority in parliament. Zardari has said he will also run for a seat representing southern Sindh province.

The July 25 elections for seats in the National Assembly and four provincial legislatures will be supervised by the interim government of caretaker Prime Minister Nasir-ul-Mulk, a former chief justice who has said he will ensure free and fair elections. The party that wins a majority in parliament will name the next prime minister.

Most of Pakistan’s political parties want Musharraf detained. The court wants him back before June 13 to avoid arrest in connection with several criminal cases pending against him.