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Musharraf, coalition stick to guns as NA meets today

* President consults legal aides, Zardari discusses impeachment strategy with allies
* Sherry Rehman says charge sheet ready, can be moved any time this week
* Denies coalition’s contact with presidential camp over Musharraf’s resignation

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly will resume its session today (Monday), amid continuing political impasse over the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf.

The four-party coalition may table a resolution asking Musharraf to take a vote of confidence or resign, as the lower house of parliament meets following a two-day break.

A source privy to the developments said the president held “marathon” consultations with his legal aides, who advised him not to resign. They believe the allegations against him do not warrant impeachment under Article 47 of the Constitution.

The ruling coalition claimed to have given final touches to a charge sheet against the president on Sunday, but the document is not likely to be tabled or publicised today.

Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also continued consultations with his allies on Sunday, and held a meeting with Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali to discuss the strategy for the impeachment of President Musharraf. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman also met senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday.

Sources in the ruling coalition said if the president does not resign, the impeachment process would start this week. A coalition deadline ends today and the impeachment process will now begin, the sources said.

Parties in the ruling coalition have called a joint parliamentary party meeting ahead of today’s National Assembly session, ostensibly to show numerical strength.

Charge sheet: “The charge sheet is ready and can be moved any time, along with a resolution of impeachment during this week starting Monday. However, Musharraf has the option to resign before the motion is moved,” Information Minister Sherry Rehman told reporters after the draft committee meeting. She declined to share details of the charge sheet.

Sources in the coalition parties said charges against the president included sacking the Nawaz Sharif government in 1999, holding the constitution in abeyance, sacking and arresting judges, a military operation in Balochistan, Akbar Bugti’s killing, the operation at Lal Masjid and announcing the NFC award without consulting the provinces.

Sherry said that the coalition leadership and their allies in the impeachment process will decide if Musharraf will be tried after his impeachment or be given a safe exit.

“The committee, in its meeting on Sunday, approved the charge sheet in its legal jargon given by the law minister. It will be presented to the top leadership of the coalition parties for their approval before its submission to the speaker of the National Assembly along with the resolution for impeachment,” she said.

Contacts: Sherry denied contacts between the coalition and the presidential camp over Musharraf’s resignation.

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