Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will seek another five-year term as head of state after his current tenure ends in 2007, the country's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said on Tuesday.
"He will seek another term," Rashid said. "He will stay as president beyond 2007 because Pakistan needs his leadership."
The minister declined to comment on whether Musharraf, who is also the army chief, would retain the dual position when he seeks re-election.
It was generally considered that Musharraf would remain at the helm after the elections in 2007, but he had not until now publicly declared his intentions.
The minister said the parties of former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif -- who are both living in exile and have been barred by Musharraf from the electoral arena -- would back Musharraf.
"All of them are in indirect contact with him [Musharraf]," he said.
"Musharraf will win the vote."
Bhutto's party has acknowledged contact with Musharraf for a possible rapprochement but demands that he shed the military uniform and open the door for the former prime minister to return and resume her political career.
"There is no question of the party entering into any sort of talks unless Benazir Bhutto is allowed to return to politics," party spokesman Raza Rabbani said.
RSS