NEW YORK, Sept 26: President General Pervez Musharraf has said that parliament has authorised him to retain the post of army chief till the end of 2007 and he will consider leaving the post at that time.

He said that he had only verbally pledged to quit uniform in December 2004 but “later, the situation changed and parliament authorised me to stay in uniform till 2007. I will stay in uniform and I will think about taking it off by the end of 2007,” he said in an interview with a US TV channel.

Commenting on an assertion that his uniform was a hurdle in the way of democracy, he said that the uniform had never impeded the democratic process. “I strengthened democracy by remaining in uniform,” he said.

“I am popular among the masses. I will win the presidential election if I contest,” the president said. Religious political groups, he said, would also support him.

He said that the army and intelligence agencies were subordinate to him and obeyed his orders, adding that there was a complete unity of command. “They are with me and are loyal to this country. Our army is extremely disciplined. The key intelligence agency is subordinate to me. I appoint its chief. How can I appoint a person who is not sincere?” he said.

“Several friends of mine, who have now retired, had taken part in the war against USSR,” he said. “The US, unfortunately, not only left us in the lurch after the war but also handed over mujahideen to us, who are now creating problems (for us)”.

Referring to the popularity of religious parties, he said that they were fast losing their public appeal and the results of local bodies’ elections proved that he was right.—Online