Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said he will honour his commitment to the Supreme Court to quit the post of army chief if re-elected for a fresh term, promising not to go back on the assurance as in 2004.
"There is a huge difference between 2004 and 2007. In 2004, there were compelling circumstances and no Constitutional bar and, therefore, I had to continue with the two offices," Musharraf said at a reception organised by outgoing chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Pervez Ashfaq Kiani on Wednesday night.
The function was attended among others by diplomats of several countries.
"However, the circumstances today are different and I have given a commitment to the Supreme Court that after my re-election, I will leave the office of the COAS and I shall abide by it," Musharraf, who candidly referred to his failed promise of doffing uniform in 2004, was quoted as saying by the The News daily.
Stating that he was a "Democrat by temperament," Musharraf stressed that the general elections which he plans to hold in January 2008 would be free and fair and that power would be transferred to the elected government.
Opposition parties and lawyers' outfits, which have challenged his re-election bid, have expressed skepticism over Musharraf pledge to take oath as a civilian if he is re-elected saying he had breached a similar promise three years back.
"We are not accepting... That was a promise to some political parties. This time there is an undertaking before the Supreme Court," Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association president Munir A Milk had said.