Military Ruler Elects Self In Pakistan

Pakistan's military ruler dismissed the president and was sworn in himself on Wednesday, in a move designed to ensure his place in a future civilian government.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who has promised to return the country to democracy by 2002, also dissolved the suspended National Assembly and the four provisional assemblies.

Musharraf was sworn in Wednesday by Pakistan's chief judge in a ceremony at the President House attended by top military and civilian leaders.

As president, Musharraf will continue to hold the powerful positions of army chief of staff and chief executive, the government said.

Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in October 1999 when he dismissed the elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, accusing it of corruption. He also suspended the Senate, the National Assembly, and provincial assemblies in moves criticized outside Pakistan as undemocratic.

The only elected position that remained was President Rafiq Tarrar, whose position was largely ceremonial. Tarrar was removed from office earlier on Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear why Musharraf did not also dissolve the suspended Senate, Parliament's second chamber, on Wednesday.

Musharraf is the fourth military ruler to assume the presidency in a country that has been ruled by the military for 26 of its 53 years of independence.

Many Pakistanis, frustrated by corruption and abuse of power by democratic governments, at first welcomed Musharraf's military takeover and demanded tough action against corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists.

Musharraf quickly named a civilian Cabinet and a powerful body called the National Security Council, which included military commanders and civilians. He promised to reform the economy and fight corruption.

But critics have said that his manipulation of the constitution and government may have permanently damaged civilian rule in Pakistan.

He has promised to return Pakistan to democracy before October 2002 in line with a Supreme Court decision in a case filed by opposition parties.

Musharraf's taking the role of president seems to be part of the military's plan to strengthen that office and pave the way for a new political system run by civilians but supervised by the army, analysts said.

“Now we can soon expect general elections in the country,” political analyst Akbar Zaidi said. “But before elections, Gen. Musharraf is likely to make sweeping changes in the constitution giving more powers to the president and ensuring the army's role in any future setup.”

Shoaib Memon, an analyst at local brokerage Indosuez W.I. Carr, described the move as positive. “It has ended uncertainty about the future of the government's reforms and assured the continuity of policies,” he said.

Musharraf's move comes ahead of a summit with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in July to discuss the thorny dispute of the Himalayan region of Kashmir. The regon is divided between the two countries and they both claim Kashmir in its entirety.

Musharraf talked to Vajpayee by phone Wednesday, asking him to help foster an environment “conducive” to next month's summit, an official statement said.

Vajpayee called Musharraf to discuss their meeting “in an atmosphere of cordiality and frankness,” the statement said.