President Pervez Musharraf named Ashfaq Parvez Kayani his successor as army chief. He has vowed that, if re-elected, he would quit as army chief before being sworn in for a new term on November 15 and would rule as a civilian leader.

The designation of Lt Gen Kayani as his successor is the clearest indication that yet Musharraf will follow through with his promise and give up his uniform.

“Lieutenant-General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has been appointed vice-chief of the army staff,’’ a military official said. “General Kayani will take over as chief of the army staff after this post falls vacant.’’

Chain-smoking Kayani had been director-general of the military’s main security agency, the Inter Services Intelligence agency, until last month.