Musharraf signals difficulty in shedding military uniform

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UNITED NATIONS - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf indicated on Wednesday that he might not hang up his military uniform anytime soon, saying army authority was essential to bring about reforms in his Islamic nation. Citing his administration’s recent proposal of a parliament bill to amend much-criticized Islamic rape laws, he said it might not have been possible if he was not the military chief.

General Musharraf took power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and pledged four years later that he would hang up his uniform and become a civilian leader.

But he reneged on his promise, deeming it vital for political stability and the fight against terrorism. Musharraf is a key ally in the US war on terror.

Speaking at a press conference at the sidelines of the United General Assembly on Wednesday, Musharraf said his elected predecessors, including the country’s first woman leader Benazir Bhutto, dared not take steps to amend controversial Islamic laws concerning rape and adultery imposed since 1979.