Amid deepening political crisis, embattled Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was on Thursday huddled with his key aides in cobbling up a caretaker government ahead of the general election as police and anti- emergency demonstrators traded fire in Karachi leaving two children dead.
Attorney General Malik Qayyum also said that Musharraf could shed uniform by December one once his re-election as President is validated by the Supreme Court, which is likely to take up the case next week.
The government had earlier announced that Parliament would be dissolved at midnight tonight after completing its five-year term. Musharraf's current term as President also expires on Thursday night, but Qayyum said "unless there is a new President, the incumbent will continue".
Officials had earlier also said that the military ruler, who has vowed to hold the Parliamentary election by January 9, would remain in office as both President and Army Chief until the apex court rules on the legal challenges to his victory in an presidential election.
In the southern port city of Karachi, two children were killed when police and demonstrators exchanged fire during a protest by supporters of former Premier Benazir Bhutto, who has been placed under house arrest in Lahore, witnesses said.
The deaths were the first since Musharraf clamped emergency on November 3 suspending Constitution and fundamental rights and inviting criticism both at home and from international community, including the US.
US Consul General Bryan D Hunt met Bhutto, who has been detained in a Lahore house since Tuesday by authorities to prevent her from joining protests against emergency.
