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Musharraf to 'give up army post' Musharraf to 'give up army post'
(20 minutes later)
The chief lawyer for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf says that if he is re-elected, he will give up his post of army chief soon afterwards.The chief lawyer for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf says that if he is re-elected, he will give up his post of army chief soon afterwards.
In a statement to the Supreme Court, the lawyer said that if Gen Musharraf won the election, he would be sworn in for a new term as a civilian.In a statement to the Supreme Court, the lawyer said that if Gen Musharraf won the election, he would be sworn in for a new term as a civilian.
He is seeking re-election by parliament before its term expires in mid-October.He is seeking re-election by parliament before its term expires in mid-October.
On Monday, the Supreme Court began debating his right to remain army chief if he stood for president again.On Monday, the Supreme Court began debating his right to remain army chief if he stood for president again.
"If elected for a second term as president, General Pervez Musharraf shall relinquish charge of office of chief of army staff soon after election and before taking oath of office as president," his chief lawyer, Sharifuddin Pirzada, told the court."If elected for a second term as president, General Pervez Musharraf shall relinquish charge of office of chief of army staff soon after election and before taking oath of office as president," his chief lawyer, Sharifuddin Pirzada, told the court.
The country's largest political party, Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, has been holding negotiations about a possible power-sharing deal in which they have demanded that Gen Musharraf step down from his military role.The country's largest political party, Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, has been holding negotiations about a possible power-sharing deal in which they have demanded that Gen Musharraf step down from his military role.
PetitionsPetitions
There had been growing opposition to the fact that Gen Musharraf is constitutionally allowed to be both president and head of the army at the same time.There had been growing opposition to the fact that Gen Musharraf is constitutionally allowed to be both president and head of the army at the same time.
KEY DATES 23 Aug: Supreme Court says exiled ex-PM Nawaz Sharif can return10 Sep: Mr Sharif arrested and deported to Saudi Arabia on his return to Pakistan11 Sep: Lawyers for Mr Sharif challenge his deportation in the Supreme Court15 Sep-15 Oct: Timeframe Gen Musharraf has set for his re-election as president by parliament18 Sep: Gen Musharraf's lawyer says he will quit as army chief if he is re-elected18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held KEY DATES 23 Aug: Supreme Court says exiled ex-PM Nawaz Sharif can return10 Sep: Mr Sharif arrested and deported to Saudi Arabia on his return to Pakistan11 Sep: Lawyers for Mr Sharif challenge his deportation in the Supreme Court15 Sep-15 Oct: Timeframe Gen Musharraf has set for his re-election as president by parliament18 Sep: Gen Musharraf's lawyer says he will quit as army chief if he is re-elected18 Oct: Date ex-PM Benazir Bhutto has set for her homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6998816.stm"> US explores policy options
The Supreme Court is hearing six petitions seeking to disqualify Gen Musharraf as a presidential candidate.The Supreme Court is hearing six petitions seeking to disqualify Gen Musharraf as a presidential candidate.
The petitions have been filed by, among others, Pakistan's largest Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami, former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and an association of lawyers.The petitions have been filed by, among others, Pakistan's largest Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami, former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and an association of lawyers.
The six petitions also oppose Gen Musharraf's plan to seek re-election by the outgoing parliament and provincial elections, saying there should be general elections first.The six petitions also oppose Gen Musharraf's plan to seek re-election by the outgoing parliament and provincial elections, saying there should be general elections first.
It is not the first time Gen Musharraf has said he would step down as army chief.It is not the first time Gen Musharraf has said he would step down as army chief.
In 2002, he promised members of Pakistan's Islamic parties that he would resign as head of the army by 2004 in return for their support for a constitutional amendment legitimising his 1999 military takeover.In 2002, he promised members of Pakistan's Islamic parties that he would resign as head of the army by 2004 in return for their support for a constitutional amendment legitimising his 1999 military takeover.
The opposition believed the verbal promise was also enshrined in the amendment, an issue disputed by Gen Musharraf's advisers.The opposition believed the verbal promise was also enshrined in the amendment, an issue disputed by Gen Musharraf's advisers.
Instead, Gen Musharraf succeeded in getting parliament to pass an act with a simple majority giving him a one-time exemption to stay on in office until November 2007.Instead, Gen Musharraf succeeded in getting parliament to pass an act with a simple majority giving him a one-time exemption to stay on in office until November 2007.
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto announced on Friday that she intends to return to Pakistan from exile on 18 October to contest parliamentary elections, which must be held by mid-January.Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto announced on Friday that she intends to return to Pakistan from exile on 18 October to contest parliamentary elections, which must be held by mid-January.
She was said to have been in negotiations with Gen Musharraf over a deal that would allow her a third term as prime minister in exchange for her support for his plan to be re-elected president, correspondents say.She was said to have been in negotiations with Gen Musharraf over a deal that would allow her a third term as prime minister in exchange for her support for his plan to be re-elected president, correspondents say.