PESHAWAR, Jan 3: Pakistan Muslim League office-bearers have welcomed President Musharraf's decision to retain his two offices, saying it was the verdict of the people bound to result in the strengthening of national institutions , supremacy of law and restoration of undiluted democracy.

"It is the desire and demand of people that President Musharraf continue as Chief of the Army Staff as the Dual Office Bill was passed by a majority in the National Assembly and the Senate," said Haji Olus Khan, Senior Vice-President of PML while talking to APP here on Monday.

He said the Constitution had empowered the president to take both the offices, adding that the opposition should accept the verdict of the masses which was the real essence of democracy. The president had boldly steered the country through the national and international crises and put it on the right track after 9/11, he remarked. -APP