President Pervez Musharraf will have to face impeachment : ruling coalition

Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 6:49 pm

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf will have to face impeachment under Article 47 of the Constitution if he fails to take vote of confidence from the assemblies immediately.

This was announced by Co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party, Asif Ali Zardari at a joint press conference with Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief, Nawaz Sharif, here at Zardari House on Thursday.

The announcement came after two-days of marathon meetings held by the ruling coalition.

“The President promised to take vote of confidence from the elected assembly but he failed to do so,” Asif Zardari said reading a statement. “He also failed to address joint session of the Parliament,” he added.

“The President weakened the Federation and eroded the trust of the nation.”

He said the coalition has resolved that the President sacked the top judiciary through “extra-judicial means.”

The policies pursued by the President Musharraf led government are responsible for the “economic impasse, worst power shortage in the history,” he said.

“It has now become imperative to impeach President Pervez Musharraf under Article 47,” Asif Zardari said.

The President had said he would step down if his party faces defeat in the general elections, he said. The people gave their mandate to the democratic forces, he added.

Asif Zardari said the judges will be restored to November 3 position following impeachment of the President.

PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif endorsed the announcements made by the PPP Co-chairman, saying his party agrees with the statement read out by Asif Zardari.

Awami National Party’s Senator, Haji Adeel also gave his consent to the joint declaration.

“The nation will not accept 58-2(b),” Nawaz Sharif said. The democracy is not so weak that it would allow usage of 58-2(b), he added.