Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday named his successor as army chief, and announced that ex-premier Benazir Bhutto could be given amnesty over corruption charges.

 

According to a government minister, the decision to grant immunity to Bhutto and other civilian leaders was made at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

 

Bhutto, who served as premier between 1988 and 1996, has been charged with illegally amassing properties while in power. She was also ordered to pay US$11 million for money laundering.

 

Bhutto shares a common view with Musharraf on the battle against terrorism and said that she would cooperate with the American military in targeting Osama bin Laden.

 

Musharraf, who is running for another five-year term as president, has held talks with Bhutto for months.

 

Meanwhile, Lieutenant-General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was appointed as deputy army chief and designated Musharraf's successor, as the general has vowed that if re-elected he would quit as army chief before being sworn in for a new term by November 15.

 

Kayani's appointment has become a clear indication that Musharraf will deliver on his promise and give up his uniform after reelection.

 

Kayani had been director-general of the military's main security agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence agency, until last month.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2007)