I reported on legislation being brought forward on Pervez Musharraf, allowing him to remain both as President and Army Chief in Pakistan back on October 14. Now it seems the legislation has been signed.

Arab News

Pakistan’s Senate president signed legislation yesterday that will allow Gen. Pervez Musharraf to remain as both head of state and army chief beyond Dec. 31, a senior Cabinet minister said.

Parliament passed the legislation earlier this month. It was signed into law by Mohammed Mian Soomro, who as chairman of the Senate is Pakistan’s acting president while Musharraf is on a visit to Latin America, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said by telephone from London.

There was no doubt that the legislation would be signed, but the timing was unusual and appeared to indicate that Musharraf did not want to put his name on it.

The general has been under fire for reneging on promises to restore full democracy, though both Washington and the Commonwealth of former British colonies have indicated a willingness to go along with his move in the interest of stability in a key ally in the war on terror.

Tipped by: Jane at Armies of Liberation

Crossposted to The Command Post