ISLAMABAD, 7 August 2007 — After Pervez Musharraf who? That is the question doing the rounds in Pakistan with indications that Musharraf, president and army chief for the last nine years, may shed his uniform by the end of this year.
A strong hint of Musharraf’s immediate plans was given by political confidante Mushahid Hussain Sayed in an interview to Washington Post.
Mushahid, who is secretary general of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Qaid (PML-Q), told the American newspaper in an interview published on Sunday: “I would expect that around New Year Day, you’ll see Gen. Pervez Musharraf transformed into Mr. Pervez Musharraf, with a designer suit rather than the khaki uniform he has worn for the past 43 years.”
Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) Lt. Gen. Ehsan Salim Hayat and Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) head Gen. Ehsanul Haq have been rumored to take over as the next chief of army staff but that may not be so.
Hayat “is not interested in seeking extension,” and has already begun plans to relinquish his post and begun farewell meetings at various formations, and Haq is also doing the same, The News said yesterday.
Their successors in these posts “will be appointed immediately after the election of the president next month,” the newspaper said.
Musharraf’s likely choice for the VCOAS post may be Lt. Gen. Salahuddin Satti, who played a vital role in the events of Oct. 12, 1999 as the commander of 111 Brigade.
That was the day Musharraf returned home from Sri Lanka, amidst alleged efforts by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to refuse his aircraft permission to land. Musharraf deposed Sharif in a bloodless coup the same day.
