Pakistani minister resigns over Musharraf's uniform issue

Islamabad, Aug 28 (UNI) Protesting against President Pervez Musharraf's intentions of seeking re-election in uniform, Pakistani Minister of State for Information Technology Ishaq Khakwani has resigned from the cabinet.

Dawn newspaper quoted Khakwani as saying last night that he had taken the decision on his own as he had been expressing for quite some time that the president should quit the post of army chief and go for re-election on the basis of his performance.

Denying reports that he had been asked by someone to resign, he said he had volunteered his resignation decision to set an example for others.

Mr Khakwani said he had tendered his resignation to the president and handed over a copy to the prime minister during a meeting.

He added that it was his personal view that Gen Musharraf should not contest the election in uniform and had not made up his mind about switching over to any other party.

UNI