Musharraf signals re-election bid

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Pervez Musharraf has reiterated his determination to remain Pakistan's president and head of its army.

He has told political allies that he intends to get re-elected as president by the four provincial assemblies and both houses of parliament.

President Musharraf assumed power in a bloodless coup in 1999 when he was chief of Pakistan's powerful military.

He was later elected president for a five-year term in a controversial referendum held in 2002.

'No exiled leaders'

The president is said to have made the latest remarks concerning his future as Pakistan's political and military leader during a meeting with allies from the PML-Q and MQM parties in Karachi on Sunday.

Critics say the president should relinquish his control of the army

"The issue of the uniform will be discussed after the new assemblies have been elected," he is reported to have told a group of ruling legislators.

The issue of the president also being army chief is highly contentious in Pakistan.

Opposition groups are adamant that he must vacate this position if he is to remain in power.

President Musharraf was also quoted as telling the meeting that no exiled political leaders would be allowed to return to contest the elections, and that no electoral agreement would be reached with any party prior to the vote.

Observers believe this a reference to former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

Left-leaning agenda

Senior government officials have confirmed that President Musharraf informally met Ms Bhutto in Abu Dhabi last week amid reports of a secret political deal with her Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Exiled leaders such as Benazir Bhutto 'will not be allowed back'

The PPP, with its liberal and left-leaning agenda, remains the largest political party in Pakistan.

It has consistently polled the highest number of votes in the past three elections.

"The meeting was held to take all political parties into confidence regarding the elections," Pakistan's information minister said.

"We want to have everybody on board to ensure free and transparent elections."

Analysts say that despite official denials, the president has reached some understanding with opposition political groups.

They argue that President Musharraf has been increasingly isolated since his suspension of Pakistan's Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who has since been reinstated.

The PPP itself has refused to confirm or deny that any political arrangement has been reached.

But Ms Bhutto maintains that no deal will be reached unless President Musharraf relinquishes his role as head of the army.