Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Pak's Musharraf steps down as Army chief

Heeding to domestic and international pressures to give up dual posts, Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday stepped down as Army Chief after a nine-year reign, handing over the baton to his trusted deputy Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani before taking oath as a civilian President on Thursday. The "change of command" ceremony, replete with military pomp and traditions, was held at a stadium in the army's General Headquarters in the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi.


Ending a 46-year career in the army, Musharraf formally handed over the charge to Kiyani, the 52-year-old former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency who was hand-picked by him last month to head the 500,000-strong force.


"I am saddened that I will not be in uniform from tomorrow and it is difficult to express my feelings in words," Musharraf, a former commando, said in his farewell address.


"After being in uniform for 46 years, I am saying goodbye to this force. This army is my life, my passion, I have been in love with this force," the Pakistani President said.



Courtesy:expressindia.com

Complete artical HERE

0 comments:

Original design by andrastudio