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

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