Announcement of New Pak army chief expected

Islamabad, Nov 26 (UNI) Pakistan's military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf is expected to take oath as civilian president towards the end of this week.

''There is strong likelihood that he will take oath by Thursday,'' official sources told UNI, days after the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to notify victory of General Musharraf as returned candidate of the October 6 presidential election.

The court had dismissed all the six petitions challenging President Musharraf's election in uniform last week.

Meanwhile, an official notification by the Defence Ministry to relieve General Pervez Musharraf as the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) is expected either today or tomorrow.

The notification will come into effect when Musharraf takes oath as the president of the country for another term of five years, local daily The News reported.

Gen Musharraf, who assumed the slot of the Army Chief on October 7, 1998, will be giving up his position after more than nine years, in favour of General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani who will become the 14th Army chief.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is a tenure post of three years.

A farewell corps commanders meeting would be called this week at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. The achievements and efforts of General Pervez Musharraf in the service of the country and the armed forces would be highlighted in the conference.

Gen Musharraf, deviating from the Army traditions, would not be visiting various formations and corps headquarters to meet the troops before doffing the uniform due to shortage of time.

The corps commanders conference will work as a substitute for his farewell calls-on, the sources said.

UNI