IHT : Pakistani leader promotes two allies

Pakistani leader promotes two allies

By Carlotta Gall | September 21, 2007

PESHAWAR, Pakistan: The Pakistani president, General Pervez Musharraf, promoted a close ally to the important post of intelligence chief Friday, shoring up his power base as he prepares to run for another term as president and possibly resign from his position as army chief in coming weeks.

The appointment was that of Nadeem Taj to the post of director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan's main intelligence agency. He was one of a group of six major generals who were promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

Appointments to the most senior military positions - deputy chief of the army staff and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff - are also expected in coming days because the incumbents are set to retire Oct. 7.

The appointment of Taj was seen as a clear move by Musharraf to ensure that allies hold the positions of power when and if he relinquishes his own post as chief of the army staff.

Taj has served as Musharraf's military secretary and most recently as the head of military intelligence. He is seen as one of Musharraf's most trusted allies and is reportedly related by marriage to his wife.

One of the other promotions was of Major General Mohsin Kamal to commander of the 10th Army Corps, which is considered one of the most important positions in the army since it commands troops based just south of the capital near army headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The promotions of Taj and Kamal appear to point the way for the current intelligence chief, Lieutenant General Ashfaq Kiyani, and the 10th Army Corps commander, Lieutenant General Tariq Majeed, to move into the top two posts in the army when the current holders retire.

Musharraf has said he will resign his military post if elected for another term as president in elections by national and provincial assemblies Oct. 6.

If he does, the deputy chief of the army staff would be expected to become the chief of army staff, and the position of deputy chief, which was created by Musharraf, would be scrapped.

Musharraf has derived his power since mounting a military coup in 1999 from his command of the army and has continued to conduct much of his work as president in uniform from Army House in Rawalpindi.

In an indication of his reluctance to relinquish his army role, he has described his uniform as his "second skin." His power is expected to diminish if he becomes a civilian president.
Anti-Musharraf rally

About 1,000 flag-waving supporters of Pakistan's biggest religious party, the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami, demonstrated Friday against Musharraf outside the Supreme Court, The Associated Press reported from Islamabad.

They were joined by supporters of Nawaz Sharif, the exiled former prime minister, and they shouted, "Go, Musharraf, go!"

Inside the court, a nine-member panel of judges heard petitions before adjourning until Monday. A ruling that could determine Musharraf's eligibility for the election is expected early next week.