PAKISTAN: Opposition parties protested yesterday as a bill allowing President Pervez Musharraf to retain the post of head of Pakistan's military was signed into law.
The legislation, adopted by Pakistan's parliament on November 1st, was signed by the acting president, Mr Muhammadmian Soomro, in the absence of Gen Musharraf, who is on a diplomatic tour that includes visits to Latin America, the US, Britain and France. There could have been legal complications if he had personally signed the Uniform Bill 2004 because he is the sole beneficiary.
The controversial law comes into force less than 12 months after President Musharraf said he would give up his military job by the end of this year and cease to be a president in uniform. No limit is set for the period Gen Musharraf can hold the two positions, although his term as president is meant to expire in 2007.
Gen Musharraf overthrew his country's civilian prime minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif, in a bloodless coup in October 1999 and appointed himself president in June 2001. Last December he made a promise on national television to give up his military role.
The undertaking was part of a political deal with a six-party Islamic alliance, Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, which supported constitutional amendments that validated his presidency and gave him wide powers, including the means to dismiss parliament.
But just less than two weeks ago he expressed "doubts" about quitting the army job. A major US ally in the campaign against al-Qaeda and similar organisations, Gen Musharraf said he needed to retain his military post in order to continue fighting terrorism and to promote moves for a settlement of the decades-long dispute with India over Kashmir.
The Islamic alliance, which holds 77 seats in the 342-member National Assembly, and secular opposition elements like the Pakistan People's Party of the former prime minister, Ms Benazir Bhutto, have joined forces in nationwide agitation against Gen Musharraf. At a rally in Karachi on Sunday, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal gave him a December 19th deadline to become a civilian president.
President Musharraf will meet President Bush on Saturday, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, early next week.