Aziz's comments are the first confirmation of a move that has been floated in political circles for months and that opposition groups say is unconstitutional.

They say military ruler Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, should be elected by the legislature after the parliamentary polls, which are due late this year or early next.

"The election of president is due in September-October this year and... President Musharraf will be re-elected by the present assemblies with comfortable majority," Aziz was quoted as saying late Sunday by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan.