Islamabad, Nov 26: The Pakistan Defence Ministry will issue a notification relieving General Pervez Musharraf as the Army Chief. The notification will come into effect when Musharraf takes oath as the President of the country for another term.

Sources said that Defence Secretary Kamran Rasool will sign the summary for the appointment of the new Army chief and the ministry’s section officer concerned would issue the notification.

The whole process would be completed on Monday, sources added.

Musharraf, who assumed the slot of the Army Chief on October 7, 1998, will be giving up his position after more than nine years, in favour of General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani who will become the 14th Army chief of Pakistan.

Attorney General Malik Qayyum said that Musharraf would take oath on November 29.

Musharraf is the second longest-serving Army chief after General Zia-ul-Haq, who led the Army for more than 12 years (April 1, 1976 to August 17, 1988).

Highly placed sources in the Defence Ministry said that a farewell corps commanders meeting would be called this week at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

The achievements and efforts of Musharraf in the service of the country and the armed forces would be highlighted in the conference.

General Pervez Musharraf, deviating from the Army traditions, would not be visiting various formations and corps headquarters to meet the troops before doffing the uniform due to shortage of time.

The corps commanders’ conference will work as a substitute for his farewell calls-on, sources said.

Meanwhile, Musharraf’s spokeman Major General (retired) Rashid Qureshi said that the date for holding the ceremony of oath-taking was yet to be determined, which could be any day from Monday to Friday next.

He said that the government would make the arrangements for the same after consultations with officials concerned.

Qureshi reaffirmed that Musharraf would stand by the deadline given by the Supreme Court for taking the oath.

The schedule for the arrangement would depend on the notification to be issued by the federal government, The News quoted Qureshi, as saying. (ANI)