Musharraf to quit as army chief

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 25, 2003

Musharraf to quit as army chief

Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf will quit as army chief in December next year, according to an agreement signed between the government and alliance of Islamic groups on Wednesday.

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Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf will quit as army chief in December next year, according to an agreement signed between the government and alliance of Islamic groups on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed by the head of the ruling coalition Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Senator S.M. Zafar and Secretary General of the Muslim coalition Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal(MMA) Maulana Fazal ur REhman and central leader Liaquat Baloch in Islamabad after almost one-year of negotiations.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was also present at the signing ceremony along with several ministers, and leaders of allies of the government.

The agreement says that General Musharraf will remain President after removing military uniform. However, he will have to take vote of confidence from the National Assembly, Senate and four provincial assemblies within one month after taking off military uniform.

"The agreement will boost image of democracy in Pakistan," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told reporters after the meeting. It will create cordial atmosphere for Pakistan at international level.

President's power to dissolve the National Assembly has also been made conditional with decision of Supreme Court.

The President will file a reference in the Supreme Court within15 days of dissolution of the parliament and the apex court will announce verdict within a month.

The same will be practiced in case of dissolution of provincial assemblies.

The two sides agreed to present a Constitutional package for approval in the National Assembly on January 26.

Giving details of the nine-point agreement, MMA leader Liaquat Baloch told a news conference that National Security Council would be formed under the act of the Parliament and necessary amendments for this purpose would be made in the constitution.

He said the President's discretionary powers would be converted into consultation with the Prime Minister.

Necessary amendments would be made in the constitution under which the Senate, National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies through a vote of confidence would affirm the President's five year term. The President shall be deemed to be elected and this would not be challenged in any court or authority.

It was also agreed that both the parties would support the constitutional amendments for continuation of the present term of the President.

The MMA members would not be bound to give confidence vote but they would not vote against the President nor would show any opposition. The MMA member would be present in the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies during voting process.

Under this agreement the government party and the MMA would be bound to jointly prepare the constitutional bill, present it and get it passed by two third majority from the Parliament.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said that the agreement with Islamic groups would strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the country.

Talking to newsmen in Islamabad on Wednesday after the signing of the agreement between the government and the MMA, the Prime Minister said President General Pervez Musharraf has shown maximum flexibility, accommodation and sagacity which led to the agreement.

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