Pakistan Views

President Pervez Musharraf has made up his mind to resign before the impeachment process is started next week and modalities are being discussed on the issues of his place for living and the fate of his property after his resignation, informed sources told Business Recorder. The sources said that at one time the president had agreed to quit, but linked it with withdrawal of impeachment plan announced by the coalition government.

“Musharraf’s departure from President House is almost certain. There are some other issues, which are now being discussed,” said a senior political leader. President’s spokesman Rashid Qureshi, however, rejected the impression that Musharraf was set to resign. “All these are rumours and nothing else,” he asserted. The President’s Camp Office in Army House Rawalpindi was the center of hectic activity on Friday as it was visited by political leaders including the Chaudhris of Gujrat and some foreign guests from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi intelligence chief was among the people who held meetings with Musharraf. There is no detail available on the meeting as Rashid Qureshi was again quick to deny any meeting of embattled Musharraf with any Saudi official. He also denied that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Ilahi had met Musharraf.

According to PML (N) leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan the only issue that is being discussed right now is to find a piece of land on the face of the earth where Musharraf could stay after his impeachment or resignation. However, some sources are of the view that Musharraf is also concerned about his security, property and certain other issues.

Some circles are of the view that secret tour of Saudi intelligence chief was part of the plan aimed at saving Musharraf from impeachment. Secretary information of pro-Musharraf PML (Q) Tariq Azeem on Friday told a foreign news agency that efforts are afoot to save Musharraf from impeachment.

However, the Q leader later retracted from what he said. He asserted that Musharraf has not yet decided to quit. The Saudi officials’ tour also signifies that Musharraf is definitely leaving. The president is seeking some concessions including not to try him in court after he called it a day.

According to some sources in meeting with PML (Q) leaders, Musharraf accused Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif of creating political instability in the country. They discussed in detail the pros and cons of the impeachment move made by ruling coalition against President Musharraf.

The president reiterated his resolve that he will not resign on this occasion saying he was elected by the Parliament and he will hold the office for five years. He said the resignation reports are being spread under a conspiracy, according to the sources.

Most of the PML (Q) leaders who were contacted by the Business Recorder did not deny that Musharraf is going to resign. Mushahid Hussain Syed said he was unaware of president’s resignation. First, he should remain determined and face the impeachment. Secondly, Musharraf must rescind NRO and reinstate sacked judges before he decides to quit, Mushahid said.

The special draft committee of the ruling coalition has finalised its recommendations for the charge-sheet against President Pervez Musharraf and handed the draft over to the Federal Minister for Law Farooq H Naek.

Deposition of judges of higher judiciary, military operations in Balochistan and tribal areas, detention of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Lal Masjid operation are the major charges levelled against the President in the charge-sheet.

The committee, comprising Senator Raza Rabbani, leader of the house in Senate, Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman, Ishaq Dar and Ahsan Iqbal of Pakistan Muslim League (N), finalised these recommendations in its final meeting held at the residence of Sherry Rehman on Friday.

Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek also attended the meeting and reviewed the legal implications of the charge-sheet draft. The committee, after completing the draft, handed it over to the Law Minister, who will present it to the leadership of the ruling coalition for approval.

The draft will be tabled in the joint session of the Parliament expected to be summoned next week. After meeting, Sherry Rehman told journalists that the coalition was ready to impeach President Pervez Musharraf and would not give up its bid.

“There is no question of any safe passage for the President, as the coalition has not received any direct message from anywhere,” she added. The minister announced that the impeachment resolution would be tabled in the Parliament next week and on the basis of numbers, the ruling coalition had to get it passed, and added it would be crowned with success.

She said that the present government wanted complete political and economic stability. She said the charge-sheet was a technical document and the Law Minister would look into so that it could be presented to the coalition leadership. “This document is expected to be sent to leadership of coalition partners by Sunday or Monday and then it would be presented in the Parliament,” she added.

PML (N) Information Secretary and Federal Minister for Education Ahsan Iqbal also spoke to the journalists and severely criticised the President and his aides. But the sources told Business Recorder that the leadership of the ruling coalition, particularly the PPP leadership, was making delay in finalising the charge-sheet as they wanted to force President Musharraf to resign to avoid any confrontation.

They said that there were expectations of resignation from President Musharraf before Monday, as the ruling coalition had decided to move a resolution in the Parliament to ask the President to get vote of confidence from the Parliament.

The resolution for the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf, which was moved this morning in the Sindh Assembly, has been approved unanimously, while the opposition and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members boycotted.

The resolution was carried over by 93 votes cast, which included PPP’s 88, ANP’s 2 and Q-League’s 3 turncoats, while PPP’s 5 members were conspicuous by their absence.

Earlier, Provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro had tabled the impeachment motion in the Assembly session chaired by its Speaker Nisar Khuhro, which demanded from the president to take vote of confidence from the Assembly. Ayaz Soomro said, “President Musharraf is not a suitable candidate for the post of presidency. On this occasion, Opposition Leader Jam Madad Ali said government was taking unconstitutional steps.

Muthaida Qumi Moment (MQM) has decided no to support impeachment motion against President Pervaiz Mushraff, this was decided after Rabita committee meeting here today.

In a Rabita Committee meeting held simultaneously here and at London decided that MQM fully oppose impeachment motion in Sindh Provincial assembly and will also oppose at central level.

Announcement in this regard will be accepted in two three days.

The Sindh Assembly session has begun here on Wednesday, Speaker Nisar Khuro was chairing the session. An impeachment resolution against President Pervez Musharraf would be tabled in the assembly today.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) sitting in opposition has decided to go against the resolution.

Sindh Minister for Law Ayaz Soomro presented the resolution in the house. While, the Leader of Opposition Jam Madad Ali said, ‘The government is taking an unconstitutional step, therefore we shall not take part in today’s proceedings in the assembly.’

MQM members did not come to attend the session.

Ayaz Soomro said President Pervez Musharraf has outlived his usefulness as president.

Earlier, a joint meeting of parliamentary party of MQM in Sindh Assembly and Rabta Committee decided that MQM will not support the impeachment resolution against President Musharraf.

According to sources, MQM said in its earlier decisions that MQM would fully oppose impeachment motion in Sindh Assembly and at central level as well.

The Cabinet, which is scheduled to meet here on Wednesday, will accord formal approval for impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf, official sources told Business Recorder. They said that the Cabinet would be briefed about the charge sheet that would be used to impeach the President, and about te deliberations between Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari last week in this regard.

The Cabinet is expected to approve Commerce Ministry’s proposal regarding amendment in Anti-Dumping Duties Ordinance, 2000. Sources said that the Cabinet would ratify the agreement between Pakistan and Yemen on co-operation in the field of fisheries.

Ratification of the status of the secretariat of the conference on interaction and confidence building measures in Asia (CICA) is also on the regular agenda, cleared by the Prime Minister.

They said that the Ministries of Education and Law would brief the Cabinet about the measures taken so far to implement Prime Minister’s 100 days’ action plan including restoration of student unions in universities and colleges throughout the country. Planning Division would give a presentation on implementation of recommendations of roundtable on gender mainstreaming through legal reforms held on July 21-23.

The Punjab Assembly has on Monday overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding President Pervez Musharraf to seek vote of confidence or resign from the office, and in case of failing to do so, it urged the Parliament to impeach the President.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah tabled the resolution before the House and in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister a total of 321 votes supported the resolution whereas only 25 went against.

The resolution held reservation on the validity or legality of the elections held in October 2007 for the office of the President of Pakistan and stated that the Punjab Assembly is of the view that Pervez Musharraf is unfit to hold the office of the President by virtue of being guilty of violating the Constitution of Pakistan and/or of gross misconduct on the following grounds. Pervez Musharraf had subverted the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan twice by holding it in abeyance. He had violated and undermined the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and derailed the transition to democracy.

It also observed that in terms of Article 41(1) of the Constitution, the office of the President represents the unity of the Republic. Pervez Musharraf had violated the same and has caused to promote inter-provincial tension, a deepened sense of deprivation, denied provincial autonomy, thus leading to weakening the Federation.

The resolution also levelled allegations of creating political and economic crises against the President. It said the policies pursued by Pervez Musharraf during the last eight years have brought Pakistan to the brink of a critical political and economic impasse. “The incompetence and failure of his policies has plunged the country into the worst power shortage in its history and brought unprecedented misery upon the people. His policies have paralysed the Federation and eroded the trust of the nation in key national institutions,” it added.

On these grounds, the House through the adoption of the resolution called upon Pervez Musharraf to take a vote of confidence from his electoral college or resign in terms of Article 44(3) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan immediately. In case, he fails to do so, it urged the Parliament to give notice of impeachment in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution.

On the occasion, the Punjab Chief Minister said he salutes the House for adopting the resolution and congratulated both PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari for their bold move against the President. He said the adoption of the resolution gives a meaning to Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom.

A handful of opposition members, led by opposition leader Chaudhry Zaheeruddin, opposed the resolution on the ground that it was being done in haste. They complained that the treasury benches have violated the Rule of Businesses of Punjab Assembly by suspending the House affairs for taking up the resolution. However, the Speaker gave a ruling against them and permitted the Punjab Law Minister table the resolution before the House.

The opposition also observed that the treasury benches did not provide a draft of the resolution, which in their opinion was badly drafted and they could have improved it. They said the government has adopted a policy of confrontation with national institutions and if they are really concern about the country then why the PPP government has backed out from the Kalabagh Dam. They held the treasury benches responsible for making the Punjab a breeding ground for conspiracies.

The opposition termed the charges levelled against the President in the resolution as baseless. They pointed out that the Supreme Court validated the subversion of the Constitution. “The critics of ‘dictator’ are the same people who took part in the general elections twice under the presidency of Pervez Musharraf. Also, prices of essential goods accelerated when the new government came in the power this year. It would be appropriate that if National Reconciliation Ordinance was also included in the resolution, which the members of the present government enjoys impunity,” they added.

The members of the treasury benches, including Rana Sanaullah, Senior Minister Raja Riaz and Zulfiqar Ali Khosa, lambasted the opposition for their criticism. They reminded them that this was the same people who in a similar fashion adopted a resolution in which they vowed to elect the President while in uniform. They held President Musharraf responsible for brining the country a bad name in the international community and creating political and economic mess. “Musharraf no more tolerable for even one day and his presence is not good omen for the country. Thus, he should be impeached and held accountable for his actions,” they added.

The treasury benches voted in favour of the resolution while chanting ‘go Musharraf go’ and a mood of jubilation was all around when it was unanimously passed. It was interesting to note that Moonis Elahi, son of former Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, left the House when the resolution was being read out by the Punjab Law Minister and did not return for the voting.

After the adoption of the resolution, a majority of the members of the treasury benches left the House, which prompted a member of House to point out the quorum. Thus, on the ground of lack of quorum, the Speaker adjourned the House till Tuesday morning.

The draft committee of the ruling coalition, tasked to prepare a charge sheet against President Musharraf, held its meeting on the third consecutive day on Monday to give final touches to the impeachment proceedings. The committee comprises Raza Rabbani, Information Minister Sherry Rehman, Law Minister Farooq Naek, Ishaq Dar and Ahsan Iqbal.

The eight-point charge sheet is being minutely studied and members of the committee, after discussing the draft of the charge sheet with legal and constitutional experts, would submit it to coalition’s top leadership for approval.

The charge sheet includes President Musharraf’s October 12, 1999 military coup against Nawaz Sharif, suspension of constitution, declaration of emergency with the sacking of judiciary and curtailing freedom of media, Lal Masjid operation, and weakening of the federation, sources in PPP told Business Recorder. Additional charges may include allowing intervention of foreign powers in internal affairs of Pakistan, missing persons, Dr A Q Khan issue, and Benazir’s assassination, they said.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said on Monday that the impeachment motion must be viewed as a movement supported by the people. “It will be crowned with success as legislators of opposition parties have given consent to vote in favour of impeachment, besides all the parliamentarians of the ruling coalition”, she said while talking to media outside Parliament House, where she was attending the meeting of the draft committee.

Thirty-five members of PML-Q have formed a forward bloc, which will support the impeachment as they want to be assured a place in history as democrats, Sherry said. She also categorically stated that 350 members in the electoral college are supportive of the impeachment.

Therefore, there is no question of horse trading for the impeachment. However, she said, more members could join hands with the ruling alliance for the democratic movement. She said that the coalition government was focused on impeachment bid, and termed it as a journey towards real democracy. She expressed hope that the coalition would achieve its objective.

The Sindh, and NWFP Assemblies were set to hold a session regarding president’s impeachment on Tuesday. Session has begun in NWFP Assembly, Speaker Karamatullah Chagarmatti was chairing the session in which members of provincial assembly would cast their vote about impeachment.
Meanwhile Sindh Assembly session would be chaired by its Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and would begin at 3:00pm later today. Member of assembly would give their point of view on impeachment on first day while resolution would be passed on second day in this regard.
Speaker Rana Iqbal will chair the session of Punjab Assembly today.

President Pervez Musharraf is celebrating his 65th birthday today as the countdown for his impeachment is expected to begin.

The National Assembly session has been summoned on August 11 which also happens to be Musharraf’s birthday. It is widely expected that the motion to impeach the President will be moved during this sitting.

Musharraf was born in the old quarters of Delhi on August 11, 1943.

During the hearing of a case challenging Musharraf’s re-election while still in uniform, the President’s counsel had given a commitment to the apex court that he would secure a vote of confidence from the parliament elected in the February 18 general election.

Musharraf had not yet made any attempt to secure such a vote of confidence, and this has been listed by the PPP-led coalition as one of the grounds for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against him.