Constitutional Changes Spark New Battles in Pakistan

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf just retired his army uniform, but he should prepare for a fight, the AP says, as Nawaz Sharif's opposition group plans to reverse constitutional revisions he made before lifting emergency rule yesterday. Musharraf imposed limits on the press, sealed the retirements of Supreme Court judges, and removed a condition used to challenge his re-election.

Ex-PM Sharif and his party claim the moves help Musharraf rig next month’s parliamentary elections. The party’s chairman said the changes “will leave a bitter legacy,” and several key newspapers joined the fight, with one saying Musharraf dealt a blow to democracy. The president, maintaining that rebels aimed to thwart the elections, warned opponents not to start trouble. (More Pakistan stories.)