Pakistan's army must stay out of politics, the party of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said Friday, as it worked to build a government that can strip its ex-military president of much of his power. President Pervez Musharraf, meanwhile, urged the victors of Feb. 18 elections to “stop politicking and move toward forming a government.” He said parliament would be convened within a week and a half. “I promise that if peace is maintained, I will support whichever coalition is formed,” he said after inaugurating a water supply scheme in southern Pakistan. Bhutto's party won most seats in the elections that are supposed to return Pakistan to democracy after eight years of military rule. Negotiations are still under way on forming a coalition government but the winning parties appear on a collision course with the former army strongman, which could herald fresh turmoil in a country under attack from militants. During his tenure, Musharraf entrenched the military's say in policymaking. He imposed de facto martial law last year in order to secure a new five-year presidential term for himself - with the public backing of his fellow generals. A spokesman for Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party welcomed a pledge on Thursday from Musharraf's successor as army chief to “stay out of the political process.” But he said the value of that commitment “lies in how sincerely and effectively it is implemented.” “While hoping that the army would stay out of politics, the party (will) watch keenly whether it really stays out,” spokesman Farhatullah Babar said. Generals have governed Pakistan for more than half of its turbulent 60-year history. Coup leaders like Musharraf insist that they stepped in to save the country from incompetent civilian governments. But they have proved reluctant to relinquish control. Musharraf said after his tearful retirement as army chief in November that his handpicked successor, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, would still owe him loyalty. But Kayani has moved to distance the army from politics, and opposition warnings that the military's intelligence agencies would rig last month's parliamentary vote to ensure victory for the unpopular president's allies proved hollow. Kayani said on Thursday that the military “stands behind the democratic process” and will support the government. But he also appealed for harmony between the pillars of the state - an apparent call for Musharraf and his triumphant rivals to avoid a standoff. __
