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Musharraf’s allies ask him to quit

ISLAMABAD: Leaders of Pakistan’s ruling coalition met on Sunday to finalise the charges they would press against President Pervez Musharraf for the proposed impeachment motion against him.

The National Assembly is meeting on Monday and the coalition plans to move the motion after the four provincial Assemblies adopt resolutions over this week asking the retired General Musharraf to seek a vote of confidence.

Law Minister Farooq Naek told journalists the charges would be so comprehensively framed that General Musharraf would not be able to defend himself.

There were reports that senior members of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), General Musharraf ’s chief political ally, had advised him to either step down or fight it out ‘democratically’ as they would find it difficult to back him otherwise.

The PML(Q) is to hold a meeting on Monday amid reports that several of its members are preparing to back the impeachment.

General Musharraf is reported to have assured party leaders, who met him on Saturday, that he would not use his powers to dissolve Parliament.

General Musharraf is said to have told them he was waiting to see what charges the coalition was bringing against him before planning his defence.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had advised General Musharraf to step down two months ago through an emissary, but he had not taken the advice.

Mr. Zardari said in an interview to a TV channel that the intention was not to insult any institution, including the Pakistan Army, but only to ensure a transition to democracy.

He expressed the hope that the Army would remain neutral.

The PPP leader said he was ‘110 per cent’ sure the move to impeach General Musharraf would be successful as the coalition had more than the required numbers.

Mr. Zardari also castigated the President of ‘irresponsible’ behaviour in cancelling his trip to the Beijing Olympic Games.

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