Musharraf may sack Jamali

Political commentators said Musharraf was unhappy with Jamali8217;s performance and his failure to endorse his policies strongly enough.

A minister in Jamali8217;s Government declined to discuss the rumours, saying, 8216;8216;nothing is clear, there is no news8217;8217;.

Potential replacements for Jamali, should the rumours prove correct, include Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, a successful businessman with close links to the military. Jamali8217;s tenure has been beset by problems involving a clash between Musharraf and Opposition parties, who object to what they say is the Army8217;s dominant role in Pakistani politics.

In the latest stand-off, a six-party conservative Islamic alliance has demanded that Musharraf steps down as head of the Army by the end of the year, a promise the President has hinted he may not keep.

Fazal-ur-Rehman, leader of the Opposition and prominent member of the Islamic bloc, boycotted the inaugural meeting of the National Security Council yesterday, saying that the body would further enhance the military8217;s role in civilian life. Members of the Pakistan People8217;s Party led by self-exiled former PM Benazir Bhutto, were meeting in Islamabad to discuss strategy should Jamali step down.