Islamabad, Sept 15: Ahead of his meeting with leaders of the Islamist alliance tomorrow to end the political deadlock over Pervez Musharraf's constitutional amendments, Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has dismissed opposition demands that the General should quit as Chief of Army and seek re-election as President. Jamali told reporters in Karachi yesterday that Musharraf is not quitting the post of Chief of Army by December, 2004 as claimed by the Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA).
Pointing out that the general has achieved the position after a process in the Pakistan Army, he said the MMA has not given the post of army chief to him. "Gen. Musharraf will decide himself when he will quit the Army chief post," he said.
Jamali's comments came ahead of his meeting with MMA leaders here tomorrow to firm up a compromise deal worked out by ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q leaders with their MMA counterparts. MMA claimed that the deal called for Musharraf to quit as Chief of Army by December, 2004 after which he would be formally elected by Parliament and assemblies as President. The MMA said it has agreed to vote for Musharraf.
Jamali said there was no need for Musharraf to seek re-election as he has been elected through a referendum.
"The procedure cannot be repeated. It is not possible because referendum, election and everything else has been held under the Legal Framework Order, (LFO) and if this is not accepted than everything will become null and void," he said. Bureau Report