PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has reinforced his power base by naming one of his most trusted allies as the new national intelligence chief.
Gen. Nadeem Taj has been named director general of Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan's main intelligence agency, The New York Times reported Saturday.
The appointment was seen as a move by Musharraf to ensure his allies hold top positions of power if he resigns his post as chief of the army, The Times reported. Musharraf, 64, has said he will resign the military post if elected again as president in balloting Oct. 6.
Since coming to power in a 1999 military coup, Musharraf has derived much of his authority from his control of the army and often conducts his daily work dressed in military uniform. Musharraf's power is expected to lessen if he becomes a civilian president, The Times reported.
