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Impeachment procedures against Musharraf to begin in days

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Aug 8, IRNA

Pakistan-Musharraf-Zardari

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party Asif Ali Zardari told a joint news conference that impeachment proceedings against President Musharraf will be started in coming days.

"The Coalition has decided that it will immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against the President and present a charge sheet against him," Zardari said, while reading a joint communique.

Both leaders issued a joint communique at the conclusion of the three-day talks at a joint news conference.

"In view of President Musharraf's wrong policies and failure to get vote of confidence from the newly elected assemblies as per commitment given by him to the Supreme Court, the coalition leadership has decided to move impeachment proceedings against him," the communique said.

Zardari said people of Pakistan gave a clear mandate in favor of democracy and democratic forces in the February 18 elections and voted for ouster of General Musharraf by defeating his king's party.

He said that all judges sacked by President Musharraf in November will also be restored.

"In spite of his clear cut commitment that if his party was defeated in the elections he would resign, Musharraf continues to cling to the office of the President. This is despite the fact that he made a clear cut commitment before the Supreme Court that he will get vote of confidence from newly elected assemblies".

Zardari said the President also failed to address the parliament as required in the constitution.

The joint communique points out that the economic policies pursued by General Musharraf during the last eight years have brought Pakistan to the brink of critical impasse.

"Incompetence and failure of his policies threw the country into worst power shortage in its history. His policies have weakened the federation and he is working to undermine transition to democracy," the communique said.

The joint communique says that the four provincial assemblies, which constitute part of the Electoral College for election of the President, will adopt resolutions demanding President Musharraf to take a vote of confidence immediately as committed before the Supreme Court.

"The coalition leadership is further resolved to restore all judges removed through extra-constitutional means by General Musharraf on November 5 last year, strictly in accordance with the Murree Declaration immediately after impeachment of the President".

"The coalition partners also expressed their resolve to implement the Charter of Democracy and work together to steer the country on the path of constitutional governance".

"It further resolved to restore supremacy of the constitution, independence of judiciary, rule of law and make efforts to avert impending economic crisis which the coalition inherited on the 31st of March this year".