Pakistan's political parties have announced their opposition to plans by General Pervez Musharraf, the country's president, to hold a referendum next month on extending his rule. 

The parties of the two exiled former prime ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, said the move was illegal and they declared a boycott of the vote. Pakistan's Islamist parties have also denounced General Musharraf's plan and say they will hold street protests. In London, the Commonwealth Secretariat has also expressed concern about the planned vote. 

In a nationwide television address Friday, General Musharraf said the referendum will ask Pakistanis what his role should be in the government hierarchy following the election of a new parliament and prime minister. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for October. 

General Musharraf did not directly say the referendum is aimed at extending his presidency. Only members of national and provincial assemblies can elect the president under the constitution. Analysts say General Musharraf hopes to remain in power by campaigning against traditional political parties, which are often criticized by the populace. He overthrew the country's elected government in a bloodless coup in 1999. 

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