Islamabad: As Pervez Musharraf today embarked on a new five-year term as a civilian President after shedding his military uniform, the Pakistani media has predicted "another troubled presidency" for him, but an "opportunity" for his successor "to improve the image of the army by keeping it strictly out of politics."

"It will be another troubled presidency that Gen Pervez Musharraf will begin on Thursday as a civilian, with uncivil powers," the influential Dawn daily said today in a front page commentary. "The political crisis gripping Pakistan will not allow him any honeymoon period at the start of the new five-year term in face of a wave of unpopularity at home and abroad and a raging controversy surrounding his disputed election," it said. Dawn said President Musharraf "will wield too much power, which is the main cause of the prevailing turmoil and promises a continuing confrontation with most political parties and other sections of the society seeking Pakistans return to full democracy after eight years of military-led rule."

"A nation that has often literally eaten grass to keep its armed forces well-fed and well-armed can only hope that the new full-time chief lives up to his billing as a professional soldier who is not distracted by the razzle-dazzle of the world of politics," the Dawn said in an editorial, The change of guard. The Nation daily in a hard-hitting editorial describe the handing over of the military command by General Musharraf as "long overdue" that "provides General Ashfaq Kiyani an opportunity to improve the image of the army by keeping it strictly out of politics."

Source : PTI