Islamabad, August 7
Pakistan's ruling coalition on Thursday declared that it will launch impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf, accusing him of "eroding" trust of the nation through his policies and actions.

"We have good news for democracy. The coalition believes it is imperative to move for impeachment against General Musharraf," PPP chairman Asif Ali Zardari told a joint press conference with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif after intense parleys between the two sides for the past three days on the issue.

"We will present a chargesheet against Musharraf," Zardari said without giving a timeframe for the impeachment of the 64-year-old beleaguered President.

On the issue of judges sacked by Musharraf during the Emergency rule in 2007, the PPP chief said all the deposed justices will be reinstated immediately after the impeachment of the presidency.

Echoing Zardari's views, Sharif said he was in "total agreement" with his ally on the decision of impeaching Musharraf, whose ouster the former Premier's party has been demanding for a long time.

Zardari blamed Musharraf for the economic woes of Pakistan and said his policies had ‘eroded’ the trust of the nation. Earlier, an unnamed PPP Cabinet member, who participated in discussions between the two parties, was quoted as saying by Dawn News channel that the ruling coalition is expected to move an impeachment motion against Musharraf in Parliament on August 11.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will attend opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics instead of President Musharraf, the foreign ministry said.

"It has been decided that the Prime Minister will now go to China," spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said.

The move against the US ally in the war against terrorism would almost certainly plunge the nuclear-armed Muslim nation into a new bout of political instability unless the former army chief, who came to power in a coup nine years ago, decided to go quietly.

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

While Musharraf has not yet commented on the impending move against him, his allies have said he would fight the impeachment.

Musharraf has previously said he would resign rather than face impeachment proceedings but Pakistani political circles are awash with speculation that he could dismiss parliament, even though he has said he would not.

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".

"The meeting will continue on Friday in which they will discuss issues relating to promotions of brigadiers and other senior officers," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Last November, Musharraf passed command of the army to General Ashfaq Kayani, who had previously headed the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

Kayani has tried to withdraw the army from politics but he maintained close ties with the President.

The political uncertainty has taken a toll on Pakistani markets, with the main share index at its weakest in nearly 23 months and the rupee headed back towards all-time lows posted in early July. — Agencies