Pakistan’s President Gen. Pervez Musharraf will abide by the constitution, which allows him to wear army uniform until the end of the year, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmoud Kasuri told Reuters.
Kasuri declined to give a direct answer when asked if Musharraf would definitely vacate his army post, saying Musharraf has repeatedly stated he would abide by the constitution.
Musharraf rose to power in a coup in 1999 and has since held the title of army chief. Public demonstrations began three months ago following his decision to fire Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who called on him to abide by the constitution and return to civilian rule.
Kasuri is visiting Washington where he has already held meetings with top officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Musharraf is considered one of the U.S.’s greatest allies in the war on terror. During her meeting with Kasuri, Rice praised Musharraf for his security cooperation with the U.S. and for his education- and women-related reforms.