Islamabad, June 01: Hardline Islamist alliance, the Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) has offered to give a one-year deadline to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to quit the
key post of army chief, provided the government agrees to implement its 17-point Islamisation programme.
The MMA's decision to give a one-year deadline to
Musharraf was conveyed by deputy secretary general, Hafeez
Hussain Ahmad to the president of the ruling, pro-military,
Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Sujat Hussain, in Lahore yesterday.
MMA leaders, who were involved in intense parleys with
the confidantes of Musharraf to strike a compromise deal on
Musharraf's Legal Framework Order (LFO), which incorporated
his amendments, agreed to give a one-year deadline as against
a two-year period being sought by the President to give up the
post of chief of army.
Sujat Hussain along with a team of top intelligence
officials negotiated with MMA leaders for a two year term for
Musharraf as army chief, media reports said.
Earlier, the alliance wanted Musharraf to quit the post
by August 14 this year, the Independence Day of Pakistan, but
agreed to extend the deadline by a year, if Musharraf agreed
to implement its Islamisation programme, which included
shutting down US bases in Pakistan and implementation of the
Shariah law.
Ahmad said MMA leaders were ready to extend the current
deadline to Musarraf beyond August 14 if the government
accepted its charter of demands regarding LFO and
Islamisation. He said the date to quit the post could be
worked out with mutual consultations.
Bureau Report
