NationStates Jolt Archive

Pakistan's ruling coalition parties say they will begin impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf.

Party leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif made the announcement after three days of talks. They would need a two-thirds majority to impeach.

Mr Musharraf took power in a bloodless coup in 1999.

He gave up control of the army last year and his allies were defeated in February's elections but he retains the power to dissolve parliament.

Mr Musharraf has previously said he would resign rather than face impeachment proceedings but he has made no comment yet on the latest move.

The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says an impeachment would take Pakistani politics into new territory, since no Pakistani leader has faced it before.

Sacked judges

Mr Zardari, of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and the PML-N's Narwaz Sharif announced the impeachment move at a press conference in Islamabad.


STEPS TO IMPEACHMENT
Impeachment proposers need 50% majority in Senate or National Assembly
President given notice of impeachment, and has three days to respond
Joint session of Senate and Assembly must be held between 7 and 14 days later to investigate charges
If resolution presented, joint session must approve with two-thirds majority

Mr Zardari said: "We have good news for democracy. The coalition believes it is imperative to move for impeachment against General Musharraf."

Mr Zardari, the widower of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, derided Mr Musharraf's economic policies, adding: "He has worked to undermine the transition to democracy."

He also warned Mr Musharraf not to dissolve parliament, saying: "If he does it, it will be his last verdict against the people."

Mr Sharif said: "Pakistan cannot afford to see democracy derailed, this is not the same Pakistan as was the case in the 1980s and 1990s. People will not accept it now."

Mr Zardari (r) vowed to try to restore judges sacked under emergency rule

The leaders say they will also move to have Mr Musharraf face votes of confidence in the national and four provincial assemblies.

Our correspondent says these will not be enough to dislodge President Musharraf but might weaken him ahead of any impeachment showdown.

Impeachment would need a two-thirds majority in the upper and lower houses of the national assembly but, our correspondent says, getting those numbers might be difficult.

The two leaders also promised to restore judges sacked under Mr Musharraf's emergency rule once impeachment was successful.

How to proceed on that issue had caused deep divisions between the two coalition parties since the elections.

Military role

Mr Musharraf had been scheduled to attend the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing but has cancelled his trip and will be replaced by Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani.

Mr Musharraf was elected president for a five-year term last October in a controversial parliamentary vote.

One presidential source told Agence France-Presse news agency Mr Musharraf was discussing a course of action and had the options of dissolving parliament or imposing emergency rule again.

The president is still thought to have heavy influence over the military and its reaction will remain crucial.

Pakistan has been ruled by military leaders for more than half of its existence since Partition in 1947.

So will this impeachment bid get rolling, will Musharraf dissolve Parliament or will he impose emergency rule? What does this mean for Pakistan and it's future?

If the impeachment goes ahead I think it has to be a good thing for Pakistan... as long as they do it all legally and within their constitution. It will help to bring the power back towards the democratically elected parliament, which will help instill more confidence in the democratic process.

But one thing I think is vital, whatever and however this happens, it has to be above board and without outside interference. I don't mean other countries shouldn't express opinions on the matter and offer support, but any action against Musharref needs to bee seen as coming from within the country, not imposed from the outside.

A dictator (so called dictator, not arguing this point though) faces impeachment bid, lol thats a new one.

Let any one in Cuba suggest that about Fidel or Raul and see what happens to them.

In fact according to the government 99 % of Cuban eligible voters voted for a referendum to declare the nations economic, political and social system irrevocable. The National assembly passed it all for non against. So if Raul were to really change and democratice Cuba he would be violating the Constitution and people. The Cuban National Assembly members in theory, lol, could impeach Raul. But none would dare of course.

I can provide links to this claim, but it will take time. I have provided such links to this claim before.

And some to this day call President Bush a dictator. President Bush would not have allowed himself to loose reelection wish he won some would say, some would not. Would not have allowed the Republican party to loose the mid term elections. Would not allow the next president to be of an opposition party.

Some dictator.

Ach, they're all as crooked as each other. Not sure why anyone even cares what goes on in Pakistan politically any more.

Well there is that minor point that 1] the nation is teetering between the status que and Islamic political ascendncy b] Pakistan is home of the "Islamic bomb" (nha, actually i do get your point... unlike Miami Shores' :raised eyebrow: )

Well there is that minor point that 1] the nation is teetering between the status que and Islamic political ascendncy b] Pakistan is home of the "Islamic bomb"
3) Their country sucks, and their politicians do even more.

I'm not sure this is such a good thing. What Pakistan needs now more than anything is stability and I don't think this will bring it.

Let any one in Cuba suggest that about Fidel or Raul and see what happens to them.

In fact according to the government 99 % of Cuban eligible voters voted for a referendum to declare the nations economic, political and social system irrevocable. The National assembly passed it all for non against. So if Raul were to really change and democratice Cuba he would be violating the Constitution and people. The Cuban National Assembly members in theory, lol, could impeach Raul. But none would dare of course.
Thank you for your completely irrelevance and bullshit soapboxing once again. SIGH.

Thank you for your completely irrelevance and bullshit soapboxing once again. SIGH.

"he-he-he. Night all!"

A dictator (so called dictator, not arguing this point though) faces impeachment bid, lol thats a new one.

Let any one in Cuba suggest that about Fidel or Raul and see what happens to them.

In fact according to the government 99 % of Cuban eligible voters voted for a referendum to declare the nations economic, political and social system irrevocable. The National assembly passed it all for non against. So if Raul were to really change and democratice Cuba he would be violating the Constitution and people. The Cuban National Assembly members in theory, lol, could impeach Raul. But none would dare of course.

I can provide links to this claim, but it will take time. I have provided such links to this claim before.

And some to this day call President Bush a dictator. President Bush would not have allowed himself to loose reelection wish he won some would say, some would not. Would not have allowed the Republican party to loose the mid term elections. Would not allow the next president to be of an opposition party.

Some dictator.

Highjacking the thread to spout your personal political views on non-related issues. Why am I getting Andaras flash backs?

Being "former leader of Pakistan" doesn't do much for one's lifespan, as history shows. It makes me wonder why anyone would take the job, considering that it usually ends in something worse than impeachment.

who the hell is Mustaffaraf?

who the hell is Mustaffaraf?

I can see the cold has affected your senses, and it isn't even winter in Finland.

Ahahaha. Good show, Pakistan. The only question is why this hasn't occurred earlier.

I can see the cold has affected your senses, and it isn't even winter in Finland.

hey!it's about ten decrees celsius here!i just haven't followed the news.

if you can't be bothered to at least Wiki it i'm not telling you :P

Hehe...like he'll ever leave office.

Don't be surprised if Pervy's pals in the ISI cook up some attack so he can declare a state of emergency if they go on with the impeachment.

Ahahaha. Good show, Pakistan. The only question is why this hasn't occurred earlier.

Well, they might beat the US when it comes to impeaching their leader...