Tuesday, May 17 2005 20:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: President General Pervez Musharraf will stay on as Pakistan's leader beyond 2007, a Government spokesman said today (May 17, 2005), despite earlier indications that he would stand down by that time.

"Musharraf will remain the President of Pakistan even after 2007," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.

He said the Parliament would give Musharraf a mandate to stay as President after the next Parliamentary elections to be held in 2007.

Musharraf's mandate as President is set to end in the same year.

After seizing power in a military coup in 1999, Musharraf held elections in 2002 but his failure to resign as the Army Chief in December 2004 as per his promise has raised doubts about his commitment to democracy.

After the 2002 polls, Musharraf notionally handed over day-to-day control of the country to an elected Government, but the military leader, who has also faced much criticism for his support of the US-led war on terrorism, is still the dominant force in country.

Pakistan's Parliament currently has a majority of pro-Musharraf lawmakers.

After seizing power, Musharaf sought public support for his rule through a nationwide referendum.

Asked whether he will be a candidate to become President again, Ahmed said "Absolutely."

"There is no doubt that he is a Presidential candidate after 2007 and, God willing, he will be successful.