Pakistan held its presidential election when lawmakers voted October 6. The incumbent military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, easily won the most votes, but his victory is not yet official because of a pending legal challenge to his candidacy. Meanwhile, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has turned down President Musharraf's plea that she delay her planned return from exile next week.

Four soldiers were killed on Monday when an army helicopter escorting President Pervez Musharraf crashed over the Pakistan-controlled portion of Kashmir, local television said.

"Pakistan is an important partner and ally to the United States and we congratulate them for today's election," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said.

Pakistani legislators have cast their votes for president in a controversial election, and President Pervez Musharraf is the victor, as expected. But the Supreme Court could later overturn the result, and its decision will not be known for more than a week.

Pakistan President General Musharraf has struck trade-off with his Political partner Ex premier Pakistan Benazir Bhutto to be Prime Minister for third term with validating the Mush to top slot.

Former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto and President Pervez Musharraf have reached agreement on a national reconciliation accord that paves the way for a power-sharing deal.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto says she expects to reach a power-sharing agreement with President Pervez Musharraf by the end of the day.

Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf is ready to resign as Armed Forces chief next month and launch a national reconciliation policy if re-elected president, Pakistani media said on Thursday.

Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf is willing to share power with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's party if it wins enough seats in the next parliamentary elections, officials said Wednesday.

Political opponents of Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf are making a last-ditch challenge to his legal right to run for re-election on Saturday.

Pakistani police wielding batons and firing tear gas clashed with lawyers and activists opposed to President Pervez Musharraf as the Election Commission accepted his nomination for an October 6 vote.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has dismissed a series of challenges to President Pervez Musharraf's re-election bid, paving the way for Mr. Musharraf to run in the October presidential election while still holding his post as chief of the military. Opposition parties had argued that General Musharraf should not be allowed to run for president while in uniform.