ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: Opposition parties on Wednesday reacted strongly to the statement of Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and termed it an announcement on behalf of the president that he would not shed his uniform as required under the Constitution.

They termed this announcement 'illegal' and 'unconstitutional'. The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), which supported the government on the 17th Constitutional Amendment, said if Gen Musharraf had decided not to shed his uniform, then obviously it would not wait for December 31.

Deputy parliamentary leader of the MMA in the National Assembly Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, while talking to Dawn, said a meeting of the Supreme Council of the religious parties' alliance was scheduled to be held on Sept 25 in Quetta. However, he said, now the meeting could be convened earlier in view of the latest development.

He said if Gen Musharraf was not bound to remove his uniform by Dec 31, then why did he make a pledge with the nation in his televised address after reaching an agreement with the MMA on the 17th Constitutional Amendment.

He said there was no significance of the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly. Parliamentary leader of the People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) in the Senate Raza Rabbani said it was an unconstitutional decision as under the 17th Amendment, Article 63 (1)-d would become operative on Dec 31, 2004, under which it was imperative that Gen Musharraf would keep one of the two offices.

Mr Rabbani said the decision to retain both the offices was a violation of oath under Article 244 of the Constitution that a member of the armed forces would not take part in any political activity, adding obviously the office of the president was a political office.

Moreover, he said, Gen Musharraf had himself told the nation that he would quit the office of the COAS by Dec 31 and that the exact date should be left on his discretion. "So on the legal and moral grounds, Gen Musharraf has no legs to stand on," Mr Rabbani added.

Information secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League-N Siddiqul Farooque said it was clear from the day one that Gen Musharraf did not want to transfer powers to the so-called civilian setup.

"Gen Musharraf lacks confidence and considers uniform his saviour," he said. Mr Farooque said Gen Musharraf did not believe in fulfilling his solemn pledges made with the nation. The PML-N leader said this development would forge unity among the ranks of opposition parties and groups inside and outside parliament.