Islamabad, Nov 26: President Pervez Musharraf has indicated that he will quit as Chief of Army Staff by Decemeber 2004, after extensive negotiations between the government and the opposition.

''The government has given an understanding in unambiguous terms that the President would be retiring as Army chief by December 2004,'' said a senior government leader, the news reported today.
Earlier it was thought that once the president decided to resign as Army chief, the ''countdown'' would lead to destabilisation of democracy. However, the thinking has changed, as many are convinced that after securing trust vote the President would emerge stronger.
The two sides have also agreed that the president would seek trust vote through a resolution in parliament. This would be an alternative to the opposition's demand for a fresh presidential election.
Bureau Report