Embattled Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has agreed to step down as the country’s military chief before the upcoming elections.

In a deal reached with Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf is also said to have agreed to drop corruption charges against Bhutto and other politicians.

General Musharraf, who seized power from the civilian government of Nawaz Sharif via a military coup in October 1999, and his cronies have been holding secret talks with Benazir Bhutto for several months.

Daughter of the country’s late Prime Minister Zulfikar Bhutto, who was hanged by another Pakistan military man Zia Ul-Haq, Benazir Bhutto has been living in exile in London.

Benazir was dismissed as the country’s Prime Minister on charges of corruption in November 1996.

General Musharraf has been under considerable U.S. pressure to get a better handle over the deteriorating law and order situation in Pakistan, a haven for Islamic radicals.