Musharraf to Take Over as Pakistan's President

I S L A M A B A D, Pakistan, June 20 -- Pakistan's military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharrafincreased his power today by suddenly dismissing thecountry's president and appointing himself as his replacement. Healso dissolved the suspended National Assembly and the fourprovisional assemblies.

Musharraf appeared to make the moves to guarantee himself aposition in future governments once democracy returns to Pakistanand there is an elected parliament and prime minister.

Musharraf seized power in Pakistan in a bloodless military coupin October 1999, dismissing the elected government of PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif after accusing it of widespread corruptionand violations of the country's constitution. Musharraf suspendedthe Senate, the National Assembly, and four provincial assembliesin moves that were widely criticized by many other countries asundemocratic.

The only elected position of government that remained in officewas President Rafiq Tarrar, whose position had long been largelyceremonial.

It was not immediately clear today why Musharraf did notalso dissolve the suspended Senate, which was the second-most-powerful house of Parliament.

Promises of Reform, Democracy

Soon after the coup, Musharraf appointed a Cabinet of civiliansand a powerful body called the National Security Council, whichincluded military commanders and civilians. Since then, Musharrafhas promised to introduce reforms to improve the beleagueredeconomy and fight corruption.

He also has promised to return the country to democracy beforeOctober 2002 in line with a Supreme Court decision in a case thatwas filed by opposition political parties.

State-run radio and television announced the presidential changein special bulletins today and said that Musharraf would besworn in as president by Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan later today under the provisional constitution that Musharraf put inplace after his coup.

As president, Musharraf will continue to hold the powerfulpositions of army chief of staff and chief executive, the officialannouncement said.