Musharraf's political future in doubt

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ISLAMABAD, June 22 (AP): From the dusty streets of Punjab to the privileged ranks of the ruling parliamentary party, the mood in Pakistan is turning against its military leader.
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's bungled attempt to oust the country's top judge three months ago has backfired badly, fueling a national protest movement and seriously threatening his political survival.
Even erstwhile supporters of his eight-year rule are urging the pro-U.S. general to resign as army chief by year's end and allow a civilian-led government.
While Western governments still expect their key ally in the fight against al-Qaida to weather the storm, and stay on as a nonmilitary president, Musharraf has yet to make his intentions plain - deepening uncertainty in the country before his current term expires in October.
With parliamentary elections also due around the year's end, disquiet is growing among his own political base.
Prominent figures within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q are now openly criticizing his March 9 ouster of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry that unleashed violence in Karachi that killed more than 40 people, and canvassing a conciliatory path toward opposition parties.