Bhutto welcomes Musharraf's decision to shed uniform

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto on Wednesday welcomed President Pervez Musharraf's decision to step down as Army Chief but said her party would not rush into accepting him as a civilian head of the state.

Musharraf's decision to shed uniform was a welcome move and one of the key demands of her Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bhutto told at her 'Bilawal House' residence here.

"But we are in no hurry to accept Musharraf as the next civilian President. Any decision in this regard will be taken after discussions within our pary and other political stakeholders," she said.

Musharraf handed over the charge to new Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani today after holding the post for nine years and will take oath as the civilian President for a fresh term on Thursday.