Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today (Dec 24, 2003) agreed to quit as Army chief by December 2004, clinching a deal with Islamist parties to get endorsement for his Presidency and constitutional amendments in Parliament ahead of next week's SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit.

The President has okayed all provisions of understanding reached with six-party Islamist alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and an agreement in this regard would also be signed, Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad told reporters in Islamabad after a meeting between ruling coalition leaders and Musharraf.

MMA leaders said as per the understanding reached, Musharraf has agreed to concede to their main demand to quit as chief of Army by December 2004.

In return, MMA would lend support in Parliament and four Provincial Assemblies to get a vote of confidence for his Presidency till 2007 and ratify his constitutional amendments by the legislature.

The ratification process was expected to be completed before the SAARC summit, which would help Musharraf to consolidate his hold on power.

Besides agreeing to give up the post of Chief of Army, Musharraf under the deal with MMA has conceded to scale down the powers of the President to sack the Government and dismiss and national and state assemblies. Now, dismissal of Parliament and Assemblies by him would be subjected to review by Supreme Court.