Pakistan’s Chief Justice made the latest move in what is becoming a test of wills between the country’s highest institutions: the Supreme Court and the Presidency/Military. The Chief Justice, who was recently reinstated following large-scale civil society unrest over his firing by Gen. Musharraf, has ordered the release of detained opposition supporters and demonstrators. 

The Dawn reports an interesting comment by Musharraf that he had “run the government in a most democratic way,” in contrast to those who had simply paid lip service to the cause. Earlier in the week, Musharraf’s lawyers had announced his intention to hold on to power in some capacity, either as president or military chief. He announced that if he was not re-elected as president, he would continue at his army post. Though in essence, this fails to address the main concern that he is standing for re-election with the full backing of his position in the armed forces, which would undermine the legitimacy of any re-election. The Supreme Court is set to rule on this matter as well. ÂÂ