The story

Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, under pressure to end emergency rule that critics say he is using to retain power, will step down as the country's military leader Wednesday, his spokesman has told CNN.

Musharraf will take an oath of office for a third presidential term Thursday, the spokesman added.

The announcement came as former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, ousted by Musharraf in a 1999 coup and banished to Saudi Arabia, returned to the country to register for forthcoming elections, ruling out an alliance with the president. Read full article »

CNN's Zein Basravi in Lahore contributed to this report

All About Nawaz SharifPervez MusharrafPakistan

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