Musharraf may consider world opinion on uniform issue

Islamabad, July 7: Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has hinted at taking into consideration international opinion also while deciding about doffing the uniform.

The nation todasy quoted him as saying this during a meeting with the MPs of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League.

The paper quoted the MPs as asking him not to hang off uniform.

To this, he replied that he has been in uniform for the last forty years but there are international dimensions besides domestic demands.

''I will decide about it according to the constitution and keeping in view the best interest of the nation,'' the President told Parliamentarians who were pursuing him not to even talk about quitting the uniform.

The six-party Islamic opposition alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has already launched an anti-government mass campaign while the PPP has threatned to move a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Gen Musharraf, while issuing directives to address the problems in different areas, assured the elected representatives that he would give more time to political issues and would himself monitor the progress on development projects.

He urged the ruling party members to overcome internal differences saying, if arch rivals PML-N and PPP of former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto respectively could mend fences why can't the ruling party members be united.

''You have good one-and-half year before next general elections so better concentrate on development projects in your areas and work for the betterment of your constituents,'' he added.

President Musharraf said that the present assemblies would complete their term and elections in the year 2007 would be free, fair and transparent.

He said that he would hold public rallies in the constituencies of PML representatives.

UNI