Musharraf seeks deal to remain in power

By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad

Published: March 13 2008 02:00 | Last updated: March 13 2008 02:00

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has offered to give up key powers in order to placate opposition parties bent on removing him, the Financial Times has learned.

In what observers said was a sign of increasing desperation, Mr Musharraf has offered to give up the right to dissolve parliament if key political opponents agree to drop their insistence on the re-instatement of Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, the former chief justice of the supreme court.

The offer marks the most significant concession by Pakistan's pro-US ruler since his party was comprehensively defeated in last month's parliamentary elections.

"[The power to dissolve parliament] is the most potent weapon in Musharraf's arsenal. His offer to forgo that weapon means that he is getting desperate," said a senior government official familiar with the negotiations.

Details of Mr Musharraf's offer were revealed to the FT by key members of the Pakistan People's party (PPP) of the late former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, and the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N).

The PPP and PML-N, which form a majority in the 342 seat national assembly, have agreed to restore to their posts all the judges - including Mr Chaudhary - dismissed by Mr Musharraf within hours of his imposing emergency rule in November.

Mr Musharraf sacked Mr Chaudhary just before the judge was due to rule on a challenge to Mr Musharraf's decision in October to contest the presidential election while serving as army chief. Mr Musharraf stepped down as head of the military in November. Constitutional experts say Mr Musharraf's presidential contest was in violation of a law that requires all civil servants, including the army chief, to wait two years before running for political office.

"The danger for the president is that Iftikhar Chaudhary's return as chief justice [would] immediately see him return to the cases against Musharraf. It is possible that the presidential election may be declared null and void," said a senior opposition leader who is also a member of the newly elected parliament.

"Musharraf's conciliatory offer is a desperate effort for him to stay in power."

Under the constitution, Mr Musharraf retains the right to dissolve parliament, appoint an interim administration for about three months and oversee fresh elections. Critics say these powers to dissolve parliament have been frequently abused.

Analysts believe he faces intense dangers from the new parliament. Husain Haqqani, a professor of international studies at Boston university, said: "If Musharraf agrees to becoming a figurehead president, maybe he can survive for now. But if he insists on being all powerful, his political future is in jeopardy."

Nasim Zehra, a respected political commentator, said: "It is clear that Pakistan is embarking irreversibly on the road to greater democracy . . . The era of one-man rule is ending."

[Source: http://www.ft.com/]