Pakistan: PPP plans to impeach Musharraf

Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly decided to move an impeachment motion against President Pervez Musharraf immediately on his return from Saudi Arabia, a move that will force the President to quit rather than be thrown out.

Local daily, The News, quoted sources as saying that the decision was conveyed by Zardari to all relevant foreign players, including the Saudis.

The leadership of the lawyers' movement, which has launched a long march against President Musharraf, however, sees the move as another delaying tactic devoid of sincerity and commitment.

The top leadership of the country sees it as a deliberate and tactical attempt to divert people's attention from the march when it has entered into a decisive phase.

PPP leaders said that Zardari had issued instructions to party leaders to start work for the impeachment of the President.

However, PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar denied the reports, saying the party chief did not issue any such orders to any party leader.

''It is premature to say anything in this regard,'' he added.