M A I N   N E W S

Mush planning to step down?
Afzal Khan writes from Islamabad

What’s fuelling speculation? 1. His meeting with Gen Kayani on his own request 2. Changes made by Kayani in the command of ‘Triple Brigade’

Islamabad, May 29
A long late evening session between Pakistan Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani and President Pervez Musharraf has trigged speculation that the latter is about to decide on his future and is expected to reveal it within the next 48 hours. It was confirmed by sources close to Kayani that the meeting took place at Musharraf’s request, which lends it more urgency.

Reports were further fuelled by changes introduced by Gen. Kayani in the command of ‘Triple Brigade’ — infamously involved in all military coups and dismissal of elected premiers — replacing a Musharraf loyalist and existing units in the key Army formation.

Another report said Chairman Senate Mohamad Mian Soomro, currently on a trip to Germany, has been urgently requested to return to Islamabad. Under the constitution, chairman of the upper house of Parliament assumes the charge of acting president in case the incumbent leaves office for any reason.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas confirmed Kayani-Musharraf meeting and the changes, but described media reports as ‘sensationalism’. He said the meeting and the changes were a routine affair and ‘Triple One’ Brigade Commander Asim Bajwa’s transfer was ordered a month ago. As regards posting of 111 Brigade Commander, the spokesman said this order was part of a bulk posting order that included 478 officers due for regular posting.

He also contradicted the news that commandos deputed on security duties with the President are being replaced. “Not a single commando has been removed from his present assignment,” he said. Similarly, the relief and rotation of Army unit detailed for guard duties with the President is a routine matter, which is planned at least six month in advance.

The President’s spokesman Rashid Qureshi said the news about Musharraf’s resignation was unfounded. He, however, stopped short of the usual follow up that Musharraf will complete his five-year term.

However, these clarifications failed to dampen speculations. The Musharraf-Kayani meeting lasted nearly three hours beyond midnight, which is unusual particularly because it was held in the evening. Routine official meetings are held during working hours.

Similarly, a change of command in ‘Triple Brigade’ might have been contemplated earlier but it significantly deprived Musharraf a loyalist and was also seen by observers as part of Kayani’s efforts to distance himself from the former.

Media reports got their meat from current political dynamics building up against Musharraf. Last week, Asif Zardari said he is under immense pressure to oust Musharraf. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif made one of his toughest attacks on Musharraf in Lahore yesterday, saying the time for giving Musharraf a safe exit has also passed and he must be tried for sedition and other crimes. Ex-Generals also called for a probe against Musharraf from Kargil to May 12 mayhem in Karachi and other terrorist killings of political workers and leaders.

The lawyers are planning to launch a march on June 12 and have vowed to encircle the Army House where Musharraf resides in Rawalpindi. A case was also filed in Lahore High Court seeking Musharraf’s eviction from the Army House.

Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif also met in Islamabad on Tuesday to renew their personal contacts broken earlier this month because of botched talks on restoration of judges. The PPP has come out with a 62-point Constitution Package that drastically clips Musharraf’s powers, shifting the balance to the Prime Minister.

A top leader of the lawyers Aitzaz Ahsan said: “His continuation as President is unacceptable because he is not a legally and constitutionally elected head of the state.”