The Hindu : International : Musharraf says he won't quit as Army Chief

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 07, 2004

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International

Musharraf says he won't quit as Army Chief

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 6. In a clear indication that he has no intention of quitting as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, has asserted that 96 per cent in the country do not want him to take off the uniform.

Gen. Musharraf has continued in the job though he attained retirement age of 60 in October 2001.

"96 percent (of people) will say do not take off (uniform). You should go and ask this. They will say I should not remove uniform," Gen. Musharraf said in an interview to Pakistan's ARY TV channel scheduled to be telecast later tonight.

As part of the deal with the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), conglomerate of religious parties, last year Gen. Musharraf had agreed to give up his uniform and settle down as civilian President.

In return the MMA ratified the controversial amendments to the Constitution made by Gen. Musharraf and endorsed his election as President through the April 2002 referendum.

"These are things of significant national importance. If my uniform was needed for stability in this I will take that decision then," he told the channel suggesting that a formal decision on the issue would be made before the end of the year.

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