ISLAMABAD : Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday began hearing petitions by the opposition against General Pervez Musharraf's plan to be re-elected as both president and chief of the powerful army.

The challenge comes days before military ruler Musharraf is expected to file his nomination papers for the parliamentary ballot - due before October 15 - on his intention to secure another five-year term.

Musharraf has been beset by crises since his botched attempt in March to sack Supreme Court Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, which sparked nationwide protests and a spate of judicial activism.

"The hearing of the petitions has begun," a Supreme Court official told AFP without elaborating.

The petitions have been filed by the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami party, the outspoken cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, and an association of pro-democracy lawyers.

They all argue that Musharraf should not be allowed to hold his military and civilian offices at the same time.

They also oppose Musharraf's aim to be re-elected by the outgoing parliament and provincial assemblies, saying there should be a general election first.

Musharraf's plans have been the sticking point in negotiations with self-exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for a possible power-sharing pact.

Bhutto announced on Friday that she intends to return to Pakistan on October 18, with or without a deal.

Pakistani authorities a week ago expelled another ex-premier, Nawaz Sharif, when he too tried to fly home to challenge Musharraf, the man who ousted him in a coup eight years ago. - AFP/ch