Islamabad, Sept 10: Amid claims and counterclaims, Pakistan's main Islamist alliance Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal has once again said that President Pervez Musharraf has agreed to quit as Chief of Army before December 31, 2004 after which it has promised to constitutionally elect him as president. Senior MMA leaders Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and Liaquat Baloch, who held talks with the ruling PML-Q alliance last week, informed the alliance for restoration of democracy that the General has finally agreed to quit the post of army as demanded to end the stand off over his constitution amendments. MMA leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmed told a private TV channel on Sept 6 that Musharraf has agreed to quit as Army chief but Senator S M Zaffar said the general would only take a decision at an "appropriate time".
The agreed draft was expected to be presented at an all party meeting to be called by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and would be later tabled in Parliament for approval.

MMA leader Qazi Hussain Ahmad yesterday said that though an understanding has been reached that Musharraf would quit as Chief of Army by 2004, his alliance would wait till, Jamali presented it to party leaders.
Bureau Report