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Bhutto files nomination papers from 2 constituencies

Bhutto, who is in self-exile, filed her papers in absentia from her home constituency in Larkhana-1 as well as her mother's constituency, Larkhana-4.

Both the constituencies have traditionally favoured members of the Bhutto family.

Sources in Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party said the exiled leader's younger sister, Sanam Bhutto, could contest from Larkhana-4 if the former's nomination papers were to be rejected under the new rules brought in by the Pervez Musharraf government.

While filing Bhutto's papers, her lawyers also attached copies of her degree certificates -- a BA from Harvard University and an MA from Oxford.

Under the new rules brought in by the government, only candidates with a degree are qualified to contest the polls.

Bhutto's nomination papers would come under scrutiny on August 26 after the closure of nominations on August 19. The papers are likely to be rejected as the new rules bar anyone convicted by a court from contesting or leading political parties in the polls.

As a preventive measure, Bhutto has already challenged in court the new electoral rules brought in by Musharraf.

Her lawyers on Thursday updated her petition in the Sindh high court questioning the legality of the constitutional amendments brought in by Musharraf two days ago to make him and the army more powerful.

Her lawyer Kamal Azfar told a division bench of the court that the Legal Framework Order was illegal and brought in to keep Bhutto out of politics.

More Reports from Pakistan

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