Reshuffle triggers Musharraf exit plan

Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf has begun a shuffle in the army hierarchy apparently aimed at placing loyalists in top positions before fulfilling his pledge to step down as army chief after his re-election.

The president on Friday promoted six army major generals to the rank of lieutenant general and appointed one of them as chief of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence Agency.

The new ISI chief, Nadeem Taj, will take over from Lieutenant General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani in October. General Taj was Musharraf's military secretary when the latter seized power in October 1999.

He was extremely helpful in strengthening Musharraf in his early days and has been a staunch loyalist, defence sources said.

Kiyani and Tariq Majid, who are likely to be promoted to the rank of four-star generals, are seen as forerunners for the post of army chief. Lt Gen Salahuddin Satti is considered the dark horse in the race. Kiyani was corps commander Rawalpindi when Musharraf survived two attacks in December 2003.

He mobilised military and civil intelligence agencies and worked hard to track down the culprits. He unearthed the network behind the attacks, including some members of the security apparatus, and won the confidence of Musharraf.

Crackdown

After being given charge of ISI, Kiyani took practical steps to purge the organisation of loyalists of the Taliban and Islamist groups. He also launched a crackdown on Kashmir fighters with links to people in ISI in line with Musharraf's policy towards India. Kiyani, according to sources, also abolished the much-criticised system of hiring retired officials for security jobs in ISI agency.

Under him the ISI unearthed several groups planning attacks on Musharraf and the timely discovery saved Pakistan from major catastrophe.

Majeed was general officer commanding of 10 division in Lahore when Musharraf took over the country in 1999. He moved his forces quickly to take control of the Lahore airport, television and other key installations.

He is a staunch Musharraf supporter and has also served as chief of military intelligence.

Satti was commandant of 111 Brigade at the time of the October 12, 1999 military coup that toppled Nawaz Sharif as prime minister. He is known to be a close confidant and consistent loyalist of Musharraf.

The present Vice-Chief of Army Staff, General Ahsan Saleem Hayat, and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehasanul Haq are due to retire early next month.

Defence sources said that names of the new four-star generals for the two important positions are expected in the first week of October.