Impeachment motion against Musharraf to be submitted next week

ISLAMABAD: The impeachment motion against Pervez Musharraf will be submitted in parliament next week, Pakistan's ruling coalition said today as it asked the President to quit or face the "tidal wave" of opposition set off by the two provincial assemblies backing the move.

"When the day comes next week, when we move our resolution for the joint (sitting of the National Assembly and Senate), we will have much more (votes) than we need (to impeach the President)," Pakistan People's Party leader and Information Minister Sherry Rehman told reporters.

Speaking after a meeting of the committee of PPP and PML-N leaders that is framing the impeachment motion and chargesheet against Musharraf, Rehman said a "tidal wave" had been set in motion against Musharraf with two provincial assemblies passing resolutions asking him to seek a vote of confidence in parliament.

Referring to the charges being framed against Musharraf, she said: "This is a powerful chargesheet that cannot be challenged by anyone and there will be no defence in front of it."

PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, also a member of the committee drafting the impeachment motion, said the panel is preparing an unimpeachable document that cannot be challenged.

He too said the coalition has "much more than" the 295 votes needed in a joint sitting of parliament to impeach the President.

"Even now, the concerned parties should understand the situation and not waste the time of the nation. The impeachment process can be avoided if General Musharraf resigns I believe that is the best option for him," Dar said.

Though Rehman refused to give details about the chargesheet, other PPP and PML-N leaders have said in the past few days that the charges to be brought against Musharraf include incompetence, violating and subverting the constitution, financial irregularities and pursuing policies that have brought Pakistan to the brink of an economic crisis.

Rehman said Musharraf's supporters had turned against him as was reflected by the voting on the resolution passed today by the North West Frontier Province assembly.

"There were 107 votes against Musharraf and only four for him. Even the PPP-Sherpao, which earlier supported Musharraf, voted against him," she said.

"This whole exercise is an exercise for a real transition to democracy," she said, adding that all democratic forces were together and voting for the return to democracy. "Nobody wants to be remembered on the wrong side of history in this historic and critical juncture in Pakistan's political life," she remarked.

The ruling coalition had been contacted by opposition PML-Q members and independents who wanted to support the impeachment motion.

Once the process of the four provincial assemblies passing resolutions asking the President to seek a vote of confidence is completed, the impeachment motion will be moved in the National Assembly, she said.

PPP leader Raza Rabbani, also a member of the panel drafting the chargesheet, said the impression that the impeachment motion can be challenged is wrong.

Source : Times Of India