ID :
16040
Sat, 08/16/2008 - 08:54
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http://m.oananews.org//node/16040
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Pak coalition offers indemnity to Mush: report
Islamabad, Aug 16 (PTI) Pakistan's ruling coalition has offered indemnity and security to President Pervez Musharraf if he resigns before the launch of impeachment proceedings, and the former military ruler is likely to take a decision on quitting in the next few days, a media report said on Friday.
Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif, who had till now been pushing for the trial and punishment of Musharraf, has agreed to change his rigid stance against the President, after U.S. and British Western diplomats pressing for a "safe exit" discussed the matter with Sharif, the Urdudaily Aaj Kal reported on Friday.
The Pakistan People's Party-led coalition has said it plans to submit an impeachment motion and chargesheet against Musharraf in parliament next week. Several top leaders of the coalition have said it is only a matter of days before Musharraf steps down as he is unlikely to face impeachmentproceedings in parliament.
Reports have also suggested that the powerful army, which is currently maintaining a neutral stance, is not keen to see Musharraf being humiliated or facing trial under any circumstances. The beleaguered President led the army for almost nine years and the force does not want to see any dirtylinen being washed in public.
The U.S., Britain and Saudi Arabia have been pressuring the Pakistan government to provide a safe exit to Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless military coup against Sharif in 1999 and has been an ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorsince 2001.
American and British diplomats have reportedly discussed the matter directly with Sharif after other parties in the ruling coalition told them he was unwilling to showflexibility on the issue of taking action against Musharraf.
Mark Lyall Grant, a former British High Commissioner to Pakistan, has met both Musharraf and Sharif in the past fewdays, reportedly to discuss a safe exit for the President.
Grant, currently Director General in the political directorate of the British Foreign Office, also played a key role in facilitating secret negotiations last year betweenMusharraf and slain P.P.P. chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, a key leader in the coalition, told Aaj Kal that the outcome of the impeachment process would be no different from steps takenagainst previous military rulers but did not give details.
Three of Pakistan's four provincial assemblies have passed resolutions asking the President to seek a vote of confidence from parliament or resign, failing which thecoalition government should impeach him.
Senior P.P.P. leader and Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said that talks are underway to provide safepassage to Musharraf.
Talking to reporters at the renaming of the Islamabad airport after former premier Benazir Bhutto Thursday, Mukhtar said the nation will be informed about details after thefinalisation of talks in this regard.
Mukhtar also said Musharraf was not in a position to use his powers to dissolve the parliament and should resign as the time had come for him to leave. He said the President shouldrealise that people did not want him to stay in power.
Another senior P.P.P. leader, Labour Minister Syed Khursheed Shah has said that Musharraf had been the President for eight years and he would be provided proper security cover. He said security was the legal right of every citizen and the President would be provided adequate protection as well. PTI R
Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif, who had till now been pushing for the trial and punishment of Musharraf, has agreed to change his rigid stance against the President, after U.S. and British Western diplomats pressing for a "safe exit" discussed the matter with Sharif, the Urdudaily Aaj Kal reported on Friday.
The Pakistan People's Party-led coalition has said it plans to submit an impeachment motion and chargesheet against Musharraf in parliament next week. Several top leaders of the coalition have said it is only a matter of days before Musharraf steps down as he is unlikely to face impeachmentproceedings in parliament.
Reports have also suggested that the powerful army, which is currently maintaining a neutral stance, is not keen to see Musharraf being humiliated or facing trial under any circumstances. The beleaguered President led the army for almost nine years and the force does not want to see any dirtylinen being washed in public.
The U.S., Britain and Saudi Arabia have been pressuring the Pakistan government to provide a safe exit to Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless military coup against Sharif in 1999 and has been an ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorsince 2001.
American and British diplomats have reportedly discussed the matter directly with Sharif after other parties in the ruling coalition told them he was unwilling to showflexibility on the issue of taking action against Musharraf.
Mark Lyall Grant, a former British High Commissioner to Pakistan, has met both Musharraf and Sharif in the past fewdays, reportedly to discuss a safe exit for the President.
Grant, currently Director General in the political directorate of the British Foreign Office, also played a key role in facilitating secret negotiations last year betweenMusharraf and slain P.P.P. chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, a key leader in the coalition, told Aaj Kal that the outcome of the impeachment process would be no different from steps takenagainst previous military rulers but did not give details.
Three of Pakistan's four provincial assemblies have passed resolutions asking the President to seek a vote of confidence from parliament or resign, failing which thecoalition government should impeach him.
Senior P.P.P. leader and Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said that talks are underway to provide safepassage to Musharraf.
Talking to reporters at the renaming of the Islamabad airport after former premier Benazir Bhutto Thursday, Mukhtar said the nation will be informed about details after thefinalisation of talks in this regard.
Mukhtar also said Musharraf was not in a position to use his powers to dissolve the parliament and should resign as the time had come for him to leave. He said the President shouldrealise that people did not want him to stay in power.
Another senior P.P.P. leader, Labour Minister Syed Khursheed Shah has said that Musharraf had been the President for eight years and he would be provided proper security cover. He said security was the legal right of every citizen and the President would be provided adequate protection as well. PTI R
