Islamic radicals have already conducted a series of protests in a number of Pakistani cites. However, Mr. Ahmad stressed that this time the actions will be conducted on an even greater scale. The first protest action is scheduled for Sunday in a town of Ravalpindi, 25 kilometers from the capital, Islamabad.
In an interview published on Saturday by the leading Pakistani newspaper in Urdu language Daily Jang, Mr. Musharraf announced that he intended to keep his military post even after December 31.
In his opinion, he must remain the President and the Supreme Commander "to ensure stability and unity of the nation." In particular, Mr. Musharraf pointed out that his decision to keep both posts had been supported by more than 90% of the population.
In contrast, the radical MMA leaders believe that Mr. Musharraf's decision violates the provisions of the Pakistani constitution. "The General has time till December 31 to decide. The protest against the military rule in the country is growing day by day," Qazi Hussain Ahmad stated.
He said that MMA maintains ties with all oppositional forces in the country, including the Pakistani People's Party, led by exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and with the Pakistani Muslim League led by another former Prime Minister, Navaz Sharif, who had been recently released from jail.
General Pervez Musharraf came to power in the wake of a military coup in 1999. In 2002, Pakistan held parliamentary elections. However, Mr. Musharraf kept the posts of the President and the Supreme Commander, maintaining the right to dismiss the government and dissolve the parliament.
