Musharraf to take oath on Nov 29
Pakistan’s embattled military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, who once described his uniform as his second skin, will take oath as civilian president for a second term on November 29.
By PTI |
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s embattled military ruler, Pervez Musharraf, who once described his uniform as his “second skin”, will take oath as civilian president for a second term on November 29, his spokesman said here on Monday. Musharraf, whose re-election in the October 6 presidential poll was validated by the Supreme Court last week, is expected to doff his military uniform a day earlier.
The Pakistan Army has begun preparations for a ceremony at which Musharraf will quit as army chief and his hand-picked deputy, Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani, will assume the military post. Presidential spokesman Maj Gen (retired) Rashid Qureshi announced that Musharraf will be sworn in for a second five-year term at the Aiwan-e-Sadr or presidency here by Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on November 29.
The ceremony will be attended by the caretaker prime minister, provincial chief ministers and governors, three service chiefs, members of the interim Cabinet, former prime ministers and ministers and other dignitaries. On November 28, Musharraf will hand over charge as army chief to Kiyani during a ceremony at army headquarters in the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi. The military ruler last month appointed Kiyani, a former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, as vice-chief of the army.
The formal ceremony will also mark Musharraf’s last visit to the General Headquarters as army chief. He will chair a meeting of the corps commanders, during which the internal security situation and the political scenario are likely to be discussed, official sources said. However, the defence ministry is expected to officially notify Musharraf’s retirement as army chief only after he is sworn in for his second presidential term.
The president’s security will remain with the military even after he quits as army chief. A contingent of the elite Special Service Group headed by a brigadier will be responsible for guarding Musharraf. The 64-year-old general had earlier said he would take off his military uniform as soon as the Supreme Court validated his re-election. The apex court last week dismissed legal challenges to his poll victory and directed the Election Commission to formally notify the result.
Musharraf was appointed army chief by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in October 1998 after the resignation of Gen Jehangir Karamat.
The Pakistan Army has begun preparations for a ceremony at which Musharraf will quit as army chief and his hand-picked deputy, Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani, will assume the military post. Presidential spokesman Maj Gen (retired) Rashid Qureshi announced that Musharraf will be sworn in for a second five-year term at the Aiwan-e-Sadr or presidency here by Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on November 29.
The ceremony will be attended by the caretaker prime minister, provincial chief ministers and governors, three service chiefs, members of the interim Cabinet, former prime ministers and ministers and other dignitaries. On November 28, Musharraf will hand over charge as army chief to Kiyani during a ceremony at army headquarters in the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi. The military ruler last month appointed Kiyani, a former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, as vice-chief of the army.
The formal ceremony will also mark Musharraf’s last visit to the General Headquarters as army chief. He will chair a meeting of the corps commanders, during which the internal security situation and the political scenario are likely to be discussed, official sources said. However, the defence ministry is expected to officially notify Musharraf’s retirement as army chief only after he is sworn in for his second presidential term.
The president’s security will remain with the military even after he quits as army chief. A contingent of the elite Special Service Group headed by a brigadier will be responsible for guarding Musharraf. The 64-year-old general had earlier said he would take off his military uniform as soon as the Supreme Court validated his re-election. The apex court last week dismissed legal challenges to his poll victory and directed the Election Commission to formally notify the result.
Musharraf was appointed army chief by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in October 1998 after the resignation of Gen Jehangir Karamat.
ADVERTISEMENT
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
