Musharraf to doff uniform after re-election, says his lawyer

President General Musharraf would doff his uniform after his re-election as President for another term, said his counsel Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada.

Islamabad, Sep 18 : President General Musharraf would doff his uniform after his re-election as President for another term, said his counsel Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada.

In a statement to the Supreme Court, Pirzada said that if Musharraf wins the election, he would be sworn in for a new term as a civilian President.

"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," Pirzada told the apex court.

A nine-member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Rana Bhagwandas is hearing the Constitutional petitions challenging the dual offices of the President.

Musharraf is seeking re-election from Parliament before expiry of his term in mid-October.

On Monday, the Supreme Court began debating his right to remain Army Chief if he stood for President again.

Political observers believe that Tuesday's statement is probably a message to the judges that there is now no need to rule against his dual position. Musharraf's lawyer statement also does not indicate whether General Musharraf would shed his uniform if he is not elected the President.

The Supreme Court is hearing six petitions seeking to disqualify Musharraf as a presidential candidate.

The petitions have been filed by, among others, Pakistan's largest Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami, former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and an association of lawyers.

The six petitions also oppose Musharraf's plan to seek re-election by the outgoing parliament and provincial elections, saying there should be general elections first.

ANI