The Sindh Assembly became the third of Pakistan's four provinces on Wednesday to adopt a resolution asking President Pervez Musharraf to face a vote of confidence or resign, in yet another sign of eroding support for him ahead of an impeachment motion in parliament.
"President Musharraf is not a suitable candidate for the post of President," Provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said tabling the motion which said that if Musharraf failed to do either, he should be impeached in parliament. "The resolution is adopted," assembly Speaker Nisar Khuhro said after a voice vote as members chanted "Go Musharraf, Go!"
Some of the opposition members of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, a Musharraf ally, voted in favour of the motion while others boycotted. The Muttahida Quami Movement of Altaf Hussain also stayed away.
The Sindh provincial assembly was the third province to approve the non-binding motion against Musharraf after Punjab and North West Frontier Province since the ruling coalition announced last week that it would impeach the president.
The provincial votes are seen as a way of putting pressure on Musharraf, who has not spoken himself on the move but made it clear through his aides that he will not quit.
The coalition says it is still finalising a "comprehensive and strong" chargesheet against Musharraf and expects to introduce the impeachment motion in the national parliament next week.
If it succeeds in getting the two-thirds majority in a combined sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate to topple the president, it would be the first in Pakistan's 61-year history.