LAHORE, Sept 28: Senator S.M. Zafar, who had brokered the agreement between the PML and the MMA which culminated in the enactment of the 17th Amendment, says since President Musharraf has not taken a final decision it will be premature to say whether he will simultaneously retain the offices of the head of state and the army chief.

Mr Zafar, asked by Dawn on Tuesday what was his opinion on the possibility of the president staying in uniform even after Dec 31, said the question was premature. "The president has already said he has not decided the issue so far."

"I am hopeful," said the former law minister, implying that the matter would be resolved in accordance with the provisions of the 17th Amendment. "I'll not like to say anything more," he said.

Questioned if statements being made by the ruling party that the president could continue to hold both the offices even after the end of the year did not negate the theme of his book - that Gen Musharraf is committed to hang up his uniform by the end of the year - Mr Zafar said he stood by what he had mentioned in his book.

Mr Zafar's book "Dialogue on the political chess board" gives a detailed account of the talks between the ruling party and the MMA which brought an end to the confrontation on the issue of the Legal Framework Order.

The ups and downs experienced in the prolonged talks, the role of President Musharraf in making the talks a success and the behind-the-scene contacts made to resolve differences on various issues, have been discussed in the book.

The book says the two sides agreed that Article 63(i)(d) shall be operative from Dec 31, 2004, which will provide for disqualification against holding two offices after that date.