Pakistan's military ruler to name himself president

By Rory McCarthy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, is preparing to appoint himself president as a first step towards establishing a civilian government, politicians and military analysts say.

Gen. Musharraf, who seized power in a coup 17 months ago, has promised to abide by a supreme court ruling which ordered him to restore democratic rule by October 2002.

But the army will ensure that it has a direct say in future policy, particularly on key issues such as Kashmir, Afghanistan and nuclear weapons.

"I think he will make himself president and he will want to retain control of the army," said Talat Masood, a retired general in close contact with Gen. Musharraf.

"The army will have a bigger role in government. The question is whether that will make things better or not."

The proposed move mirrors the steps taken by the last military dictator, Gen. Zia-ul Haq, who in 1985 strengthened his powers as president before appointing a civilian prime minister.

Although Gen. Musharraf is widely regarded as a moderate, there has been growing disenchantment with his regime. What began as a bold agenda for reform has dissipated.

Pakistan's economy continues to struggle, reliant on securing short-term loans from the International Monetary Fund and rolling over foreign debt repayments.

A drought has destroyed up to a third of this season's wheat crop, cutting forecasts of economic growth to just 3.6 percent this year. Inflation is rampant while attempts to improve tax collection have provoked riots.

An anti-corruption drive lost credibility after the deposed prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, went into exile in December. Although the military insisted he would face corruption trials, Sharif was pardoned and allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia in an apparent attempt to clean out opposition to the army rule.

"It knocked the bottom out of the accountability drive," said Gen. Masood."It is seen more as a tool of political manipulation and less of justice."

The regime has long threatened to crack down on militant religious groups which are involved in sectarian violence, and in the guerrilla war in Kashmir. But there has been resistance from conservative quarters of the army and the Inter-Services intelligence agency, which is still involved in the Kashmir campaign.

"Gen. Musharraf has a great fear of taking on the orthodox forces," said Kamila Hyat, joint director of the human rights commission of Pakistan.

Now the general's priority is to ensure that the next government endorses his coup and provides a legal cover for all the steps taken since the army came to power.

He is expected to extend his term as army chief beyond his retirement in October. As president, he could remain head of the army and would be able to dismiss prime ministers.

"For the military to get this period legitimized the next parliament has to indemnify what they have done and for that reason he has to be president so he can control parliament," said Najam Sethi, editor of the respected Friday Times.

Gen. Musharraf has created a national security council, including the armed forces chiefs and some ministers. The council is expected to remain under a civilian government to direct policy in key areas.

The military may revive the parliament suspended on the day of the coup rather than hold a general election immediately. The Pakistan Muslim League (PML), the traditional party of the establishment which was in government before the coup, would still hold the majority.

"They have come to the conclusion that this parliament will be more amenable than a new one," said Gen. Masood. "The PML has always been the king's party."

Since last year the military has tried to stifle political activity and many people are skeptical about the prospect of a civilian government operating under the close watch of the army.

"In a democracy you cannot accept that," said Imran Khan, the cricketer turned politician. "The big problem is that by stopping political activity he has frozen the status quo. If he expects a new leadership to come through he has got to allow political activity."

-- Guardian News Service