PML chief covering candidate for Musharraf

The unnamed sources said that if Shujaat Hussain were elected as President for the next five years from Parliament, then he would be authorised to extend Musharraf’s tenure as the Chief of the Army Staff for the next one to two years.

“At least one office, either COAS or President, must remain with Musharraf till the next general elections slated for later this year, so that the party can maintain its position in the next assemblies,” the sources said, quoting the party’s central leaders as saying.

It may be stated that replying to a query, the Pakistani government had on Thursday told the Supreme Court that Musharraf’s term as President would end on November 15 but he would continue as the Army chief till his successor’s appointed.

Meanwhile, the PML leaders have also expressed their dissatisfaction over the government’s ongoing negotiations with self-exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party.

“If the deal is finalised and Musharraf is re-elected as President, then only the situation would favour the PML in the forthcoming general elections. But, if Musharraf is unable to contest for the Presidency, then the office must remain with the ruling party,” an office-bearer said.