Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf may quit as army chief in return for support from political parties to re-elect him for another term, a newspaper reported yesterday.

The offer is being discussed by Musharraf's aides with self-exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in London as part of a power-sharing pact, the Dawn newspaper said.

Musharraf, who has seen his popularity plummet in recent months, wants to get re-elected president for another five years between mid-September and mid-October, before his term as army chief expires at the end of the year.

Under his plan, a general election will then be held at the end of the year or early next year.

But US ally Musharraf faces opposition - legal challenges on constitutional grounds and perhaps even street protests.

An agreement with two-time prime minister Bhutto, whose Pakistan People's Party is seen as the country's most popular party, would help Musharraf secure another term.

But liberal-minded Bhutto is insisting he stand down as army chief before he runs for re-election.

"President Musharraf has offered to doff the uniform even before the presidential elections," the English-language Dawn reported.

"But in the trade off, he wants all political parties to agree to elect him president... after the new assemblies come into being following the next general election."

A Cabinet minister declined to comment except to say Musharraf had made up his mind on his uniform.

An aide to Bhutto said August 31 was the deadline for a deal with Musharraf. She will then decide when she will return.

(China Daily via agencies August 29, 2007)