Musharraf 'set to become civilian leader within days'

Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is set to resign as army chief and become the nation's civilian president by the weekend, officials said on Wednesday.

Seeking to salvage its international image, the government urged the Commonwealth to delay a decision on suspending Pakistan from the group.

Attorney General Malek Mohammad Qayyum said that if the Supreme Court, as expected, rejects a final challenge today to Musharraf's re-election then he would hang up his uniform within days and take the oath as a civilian president "by Saturday or Sunday".

Separately, Musharraf issued an amendment to the constitution which says the emergency imposed earlier this month cannot be over-ruled in court.

Late yesterday, authorities freed hunger-striking cricket legend Imran Khan from prison, jail officials said.