President Musharraf of Pakistan announced yesterday that he would step down as army chief by November 15, ending eight years of military rule in a country on the front line of the War on Terror.

But adversaries immediately rejected the proposal as an undemocratic ploy to prolong his rule over the Muslim nation of 165 million despite escalating opposition from Islamists and moderates alike.

General Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, wants to be elected as President in a poll due by October 15, before calling parliamentary elections due by mid-January.

His popularity has slumped, however, since he tried to dismiss the Chief Justice in March, and he now faces legal challenges to his rule at the same time as a revolt by militants on the border with Afghanistan.

Bhutto was killed by bomb blast

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BACKGROUND

• Pakistan in turmoil as ‘martial law’ imposed

• Bhutto escapes as bombers kill 126

• Timeline: Pakistan's period of turmoil

• The man out to oust a President

• Internal crisis gives Pakistan reason for hope

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He made the announcement through Sharifuddin Pirzada, his chief lawyer, during a Supreme Court hearing into petitions against his plans to stand for reelection as president while still in his uniform.

“If elected for a second term as President, General Pervez Musharraf shall relinquish charge of office of Chief of Army Staff soon after election and before taking oath of office as President,” Mr Pirzada told the court.

Rumours had circulated for months, but this was the first official statement of the former commando’s intent to relinquish his uniform, which he said this year had become “part of my skin”.

Government officials said that the statement paved the way for an orderly return to civilian, democratic rule.

Tariq Azeem, Deputy Information Minister, told The Times: “It was clear to most people that he would be doffing his uniform some time this year, but because of the debate that’s been going on in the courts and the media, the matter had to be clarified.”

General Musharraf wants to be elected by the current national and provincial legislatures, where his supporters have a majority, and to be sworn in by November 15, when his current term ends.

But opponents say that he should step down from his military post first and can seek reelection by a new parliament only after the general election. Some say that he has to wait two years before running again.

“General Musharraf does not fulfil the constitutional requirement to contest the election,” said Saeed uz Zaman Siddiqui, a former chief justice.

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