ISLAMABAD, 7 September 2004 — President Gen. Pervez Musharraf indicated yesterday he may not resign as army chief by year’s end, claiming most Pakistanis want him to retain the uniform to maintain national stability as he fights terrorism.

The comments, in a television interview aired yesterday, drew an angry response from the political opposition.

Musharraf, who emerged as a key ally in the US-led war on terrorism, said he would make a final decision in accordance with the constitution and after he had seen what the people wanted.

“Ninety-six percent (of people) will say ‘do not remove (uniform),”’ the army chief told the private ARY TV network. “You should go and ask this.”

The interview was aired as Pakistan marked its Defense Day, which commemorates the achievements of its armed forces.

Musharraf, who has ordered a series of military operations this year against Al-Qaeda-linked militants along the Afghan border, said that “important decisions” were needed in tackling terrorism — and on widespread water shortages, amid debate over controversial dam projects backed by the president.

“These are things of significant national importance. If my uniform was needed for stability in this I will take that decision then,” he said, without elaborating.

Last December, Musharraf said in a nationally televised address that he would give up the post of army chief by the end of 2004. That followed a political deal he reached with a hard-line opposition coalition.

However, the details of the deal with the hard-line Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal coalition were never publicized, and Musharraf claims the party broke its promise by failing to support him in a parliamentary vote of confidence soon after the constitutional amendments were approved in January this year.

MMA spokesman Ameerul Azeem yesterday rejected the idea that Musharraf had the support of Pakistanis to stay on as army chief, calling it “wishful thinking.”

Meanwhile, speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of the new general headquarters complex in Islamabad, Musharraf said the defense of the country would be bolstered.