Musharraf to doff uniform if re-elected: Legal experts

Legal experts have pointed out that the Pakistan Governments written commitment to the Supreme Court about Pervez Musharrafs relinquishing the Army chiefs office is conditional to his re-election.

Islamabad, Sep 19 : Legal experts have pointed out that the Pakistan Government's written commitment to the Supreme Court about Pervez Musharraf's relinquishing the Army chief's office is conditional to his re-election.

The statement filed by Musharraf's counsel, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, in the apex court points out that the General would leave his army post after his election, but before taking oath as President for the second term.

The declaration gave no precise date for Musharraf to quit the military office, The News reported.

However, his present tenure as President and the term of the current National Assembly expire on the same day, November 15, and he is supposed to take oath on the following day as President, if re-elected.

The presidential election is to be held between 15 September and 15 October this year if the National Assembly is not dissolved.

"But if Musharraf is not re-elected as president for any reason - he is defeated in the election or the National Assembly is dissolved - still he cannot hold two offices beyond November 15," a constitutional expert said.

He cited Article 43, which provides that the President shall not hold any office of profit in the service of Pakistan or occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of services. This provision will become operative after November 15.

The expert said that Pirzada's masterpiece, which is a classic example of brevity being the beauty, is in accordance with the 17th Amendment inserted in the Constitution under which Musharraf could keep the two offices till November 15.

The official statement produced after high-level deliberations spanning months, leaves no doubt that Musharraf would contest the next presidential election in the commando fatigues and would be sworn in as civilian President.

ANI