The Hindu : Front Page : Ally deserts Musharraf

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Thursday, Aug 14, 2008
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Ally deserts Musharraf

Nirupama Subramanian

Speculation rife over his exit

Pervez Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: Speculation that President Pervez Musharraf’s resignation may be imminent heightened after his political isolation became apparent when even the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, until now a trusted ally, deserted him on Wednesday in Pakistan’s Sindh provincial assembly.

The Sindh Assembly was following the Punjab and the North West Frontier Province assemblies in passing a resolution demanding that the retired General Musharraf step down or seek a vote of confidence.

The MQM, which had earlier declared it would defend the President, abstained from voting, and the resolution was passed by 93 votes to zero. In the two other assemblies which adopted similar resolutions, heavy cross-voting from the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), Gen. Musharraf’s main ally, exposed his narrowing band of supporters.

“There’s a tidal wave in favour of democracy,” Information Minister Sherry Rehman told journalists.

“What we saw in the Sindh Assembly today[Wednesday], with this kind of numbers, it is very difficult [for the President] to go against the will of the people.”

The Daily Times said on Wednesday that Gen. Musharraf had decided “in principle” to resign on Thursday, when Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day, but was still considering his options.

Quoting an unnamed leader of the PML(Q), the newspaper said the coalition had agreed to give him safe passage if he quit ahead of impeachment. If he quit, the President would move to his recently completed farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad, and leave the country after a few days.

According to the daily, the PML(Q) leader said the President had been advised – it was unclear by whom — to apologise to the nation and the judiciary for sacking Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary and all other judges and to restore them before quitting.

Another advice, the daily said, was to restore the judges and tell the nation he would accept their judgment on the validity of his October 2007 Presidential election.

The President was said to be considering all options.

The PML(Q) position articulated by secretary-general Mushahid Hussain is that the party will support him if Gen. Musharraf chooses to defend himself “democratically” in Parliament against the impeachment.

The party has advised him against using his powers to dissolve Parliament.

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