Musharraf wants to withdraw cases against Sharif

term in the October 6 Presidential ballot, told private Geo TV in an interview that he wanted to withdraw cases against Sharif, who briefly returned home last month before being packed off to Jeddah, as well as leaders of other political parties under the National Reconciliation Ordinance.

His comments came a day after another former Premier Benazir Bhutto, who lives in self-imposed exile in London and Dubai, was offered amnesty by the government over the corruption charges against her.

The Pakistan President, who recently gave an undertaking before the Supreme Court that he would shed uniform if re-elected, said he would retain the post of the Army Chief till November 15, the date when the national and provincial assemblies complete their tenures.

He is expected to win the Presidential poll as the ruling PML-Q and allied parties have majority in the electoral college comprising Parliament and four provincial assemblies.

Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1999 toppling the Sharif government, on Tuesday appointed Lt Gen Asfaq Pervez Kiyani to succeed him as the Army chief after he sheds uniform.

The Pakistan President also said that there was no difference of opinion between him and Gen Kiyani, who was till recently the head of ISI.

The existing assemblies would complete their terms and the general elections would be held two months after November 15, Musharraf said in the interview which is to be telecast on Wednesday night.

The General expressed the confidence that he would get the vote of confidence from the new assembly.

Musharraf said that Bhutto-led Pakistan Peoples Party could play a role in curbing extremism in the country – which has witnessed a spate of suicide blasts following the July 11 military crackdown against the Lal Masjid.

He also did not deny US role in his talks with Bhutto on a possible power-sharing arrangement.

About resignations by the lawmakers belonging to Opposition alliance All Party Democratic Movement (APDM) led by Sharif’s PML-N, the General said over 100 resignations would not have an impact on the electoral college, which would also not be affected even if more legislators quit.