Troubled Pakistan's President Musharraf 'to be impeached'

Pakistan's ruling coalition said it would  impeach President Pervez Musharraf for plunging the country into political and economic crises and warned him against any attempt to dismiss the government.

The move is likely to deepen political uncertainty in the nuclear-armed Muslim nation, a key U.S. ally, which already faces a faltering economy and a growing threat from Islamist militancy.

The uncertainty has taken a toll on Pakistani markets, with the main share index at its weakest in almost two years and the rupee headed back towards all-time lows posted in early July.

Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and head of the coalition, said parliament would be called this month to begin impeachment proceedings.

'The coalition leaders believe that it has become imperative to move for impeachment,' Zardari, flanked by his major coalition partner former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, told a news conference.

'This person committed an oppression against Pakistan. That's why the parliament has decided to impeach him,' Sharif said.

Musharraf's spokesman was not immediately available but his allies say he would fight the impeachment.

The response of the army to the prospect of a humiliating exit for its former chief will be crucial.

Army commanders met in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, close to Islamabad, on Thursday but a military official said 'it was a routine meeting'.

Musharraf seized power as a general in 1999 by toppling Sharif and effectively ruled Pakistan single-handedly for eight years, but became considerably weakened after he stepped down as chief of the country's powerful army which has run the country for more than half of its 61 years of independence.

He has become increasingly unpopular at home and lost parliamentary support after his allies suffered a massive defeat in February elections, but has resisted calls to stand down.

'The economic policies pursued by General Musharraf during (the) last 8 years have brought Pakistan to the brink of critical economic impasse,' a joint statement read by Zardari said.

'He has worked to undermine the transition to democracy,' it added.

Some analysts say the jockeying for political power has distracted from needed moves to deal with Pakistan's economic problems and the effort to control violent Islamic militants, especially along the border with Afghanistan.

The United States and the Afghanistan government say the border areas are key shelters for Taliban and al Qaeda fighters.

Musharraf had previously said he would resign rather than face impeachment proceedings. Even so, Pakistani political circles have been awash with speculation he could dismiss parliament in an attempt to prevent it.

Both Zardari and Sharif warned him against any such move.

'If he does it, it will be his last verdict against (the) people, against (the) people's mandate and against Pakistan,' Zardari said.
'Democracy is not so weak that this article ... could be invoked.'

Under the Pakistani constitution, a president could be ousted if an impeachment motion wins a two-thirds majority of the combined strength of the National Assembly and Senate.

Zardari was confident the impeachment motion would be passed with an overwhelming majority. 'We have votes and we also have the courage,' he said.

Analysts said while an impeachment motion could be tabled this month, it could be several weeks before it was put for a vote as parliament might investigate the charges and the president could appear to defend himself.

Shortly before the formal announcement of the impeachment decision, the foreign ministry announced that Musharraf had dropped plans to travel to China for today's Olympic opening ceremony.

If the resolution passed, Musharraf would be the first president of the country to be impeached.