Slightly EFL
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has made a deal with Pakistan’s hardline Islamic opposition to step down as the country’s military chief in 2004. Under the deal, Musharraf will remain as president but will relinquish some of his special political powers, which include the right to oust the prime minister and disband parliament by decree. The agreement is seen as a way to partially appease the Islamic opposition. For months, the coalition of parties that forms the opposition has harassed parliamentary speakers, staged mass walkouts and blocked most legislation. The opposition has been critical of Musharraf’s special powers. It also opposes American policy in the region, including the removal of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The deal also calls for Musharraf to ask parliament for a vote of confidence in his position as president within one month of stepping down as head of the armed forces. Musharraf won a five-year term as president as the only candidate in a 2002 referendum. He later allowed elections to choose a national parliament and provincial assemblies. While Musharraf holds the most power in the county, daily government operations are run by Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali, a Musharraf ally. |