Musharraf to be civilian president after quitting army role

GENERAL Pervez Musharraf will retire as chief of Pakistan’s army tomorrow, his aides announced yesterday, as the embattled president grappled with a political scene roiled by the return of an exiled former prime minister in time for crucial January elections.

He will take an oath of office as civilian president on Thursday after quitting as army chief, his spokesman said, giving the first official schedule for the end of military rule.

Top military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said Gen Musharraf, 64, would step down as army chief tomorrow.