ISLAMABAD, 25 December 2003 — Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf agreed yesterday to step down as chief of army staff by the end of 2004, resolving a row with an opposition Islamic alliance that had virtually paralyzed Parliament.
The announcement came as a fine gift to the people of Pakistan on the eve of the birthday of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Musharraf called his decision “difficult”.
“I realize that it’s time. I have decided that I will give up my uniform by December 2004 and will step down as chief of army staff,” he said on Pakistan Television.
Speaking in Urdu and wearing military dress, Musharraf added: “These are all historic decisions. Nobody has won or lost because of these decisions. Democracy has won and the victory is Pakistan’s.”
Musharraf made the decision as part of a deal with the opposition Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) — an alliance of six Islamic opposition parties — which have promised to abstain in a vote of confidence in the government expected early next year.
The agreement is likely to see the general’s term in office extended until 2007, although any weakening of his links to the military could undermine his position.
Although he does not come away from the deal empty-handed, Musharraf’s concessions could raise eyebrows in the West.
A key ally in the US war on terror, Musharraf has been hailed as instrumental to Pakistan’s economic recovery and its crackdown on militancy, both domestic and international.
The move answers a key demand by the Commonwealth for suspended Pakistan to be readmitted. It comes after months of wrangling with the MMA religious bloc over constitutional changes giving the president sweeping powers.
The package of amendments, called the Legal Framework Order (LFO), gave Musharraf the power to dissolve Parliament and sack the prime minister.
The religious coalition, which counts supporters of Afghanistan’s ousted Taleban regime among its leaders, has virtually paralyzed parliamentary proceedings with stormy protests and organized popular rallies against the president.
“It (the deal) will improve Pakistan’s image abroad and give the world the impression that Pakistan is moving toward democracy,” said Fazlur Rahman, a prominent MMA leader who signed the deal on behalf of the opposition.
The government side was represented by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, and Muslim League chief, Sen. Chaudhri Shujaat Hussain, who, along with former Law Minister S.M. Zafar, signed for the government.
The general called elections in October 2002 to end military rule after his bloodless coup in 1999, but he has remained in ultimate control of the country while the government has run its day-to-day affairs.
