Pakistani ruling lawmakers call on Musharraf to resign
Monday, 11 August 2008
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (AFP): Lawmakers in Pakistan's ruling coalition Sunday urged President Pervez Musharraf to resign, saying he would not be able to fight the charges being lodged against him in an impeachment motion.
They made the demand as a government committee met to finalise a charge sheet against Musharraf before the lower house starts impeachment proceedings Monday, party officials said.
Coalition leaders Asif Ali Zardari -- the widower of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto -- and former premier Nawaz Sharif announced Thursday that they would seek Musharraf's ouster for allegedly mismanaging the country.
Under Pakistan's constitution, impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in a joint sitting of upper and lower houses of parliament.
"A comprehensive charge sheet is being prepared," Law Minister Farooq Naek told reporters. The charges include "gross misconduct and violation of the constitution."
"The charge sheet will be solid and Musharraf will not be able to fight it," said the minister, a member of the committee drafting the charges. "It is better for him to resign before impeachment."
Naek did not provide further details, but Zardari Thursday said "Musharraf worked to undermine the transition to democracy," and his policies "weakened the federation and eroded trust in national institutions."
Ishaq Dar, senior leader of Sharif's party, also said Musharraf should resign and avert impeachment.
Reuters adds: More than 100 Islamist militants and nine Pakistani soldiers were killed in fierce fighting over the last four days in the tribal region of Bajaur, a military spokesman said Sunday.
Bajaur is a known sanctuary for al Qaeda and Taliban militants near the Afghan border.
They made the demand as a government committee met to finalise a charge sheet against Musharraf before the lower house starts impeachment proceedings Monday, party officials said.
Coalition leaders Asif Ali Zardari -- the widower of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto -- and former premier Nawaz Sharif announced Thursday that they would seek Musharraf's ouster for allegedly mismanaging the country.
Under Pakistan's constitution, impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in a joint sitting of upper and lower houses of parliament.
"A comprehensive charge sheet is being prepared," Law Minister Farooq Naek told reporters. The charges include "gross misconduct and violation of the constitution."
"The charge sheet will be solid and Musharraf will not be able to fight it," said the minister, a member of the committee drafting the charges. "It is better for him to resign before impeachment."
Naek did not provide further details, but Zardari Thursday said "Musharraf worked to undermine the transition to democracy," and his policies "weakened the federation and eroded trust in national institutions."
Ishaq Dar, senior leader of Sharif's party, also said Musharraf should resign and avert impeachment.
Reuters adds: More than 100 Islamist militants and nine Pakistani soldiers were killed in fierce fighting over the last four days in the tribal region of Bajaur, a military spokesman said Sunday.
Bajaur is a known sanctuary for al Qaeda and Taliban militants near the Afghan border.