200808151987 | No immunity for Pakistan's President Musharraf'

No immunity for Pakistan's President Musharraf'

Islamabad - President Pervez Musharraf should not receive legal immunity, a senior leader in Pakistan's new ruling coalition said on Thursday, ramping up the pressure on the leader already facing possible impeachment.

Musharraf has resisted calls to quit, and his rivals say they could introduce an impeachment motion in Parliament as early as next week. Speculation persists that Musharraf may be holding out for guarantees he will not face criminal charges if he resigns.

On Thursday, during a speech to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day, the beleaguered former army chief called for reconciliation, but made no mention of the moves against him.

"I appeal to all elements to adopt an approach of reconciliation so that there is political stability and we can firmly confront the real problems facing the country," Musharraf said.

Safe passage

But in his own Independence Day address, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose party is a member of the ruling coalition, ruled out a "safe passage" for Musharraf.

Sharif, who Musharraf pushed out of power in a 1999 coup, alleged the president had violated the constitution and compromised the nation's sovereignty, a reference to Musharraf's alliance with the US in the war on terror.

"Should safe passage be given to someone who has done this to Pakistan?" Sharif asked a crowd in the eastern city of Lahore.

"He wants safe passage by breaking Pakistan's law. He wants safe passage by breaking Pakistan's Constitution. He is asking for safe passage by selling out Pakistan's sovereignty."

After his coup, Musharraf dominated Pakistan for years, but eventually grew increasingly unpopular. Many Pakistanis blamed rising violence in their country on his partnership with the United States in the fight against extremism.

Impeachment

His popularity hit new lows in 2007, when he ousted dozens of judges and imposed emergency rule in bids to avoid challenges to his rule.

In February, his rivals - including those in Sharif's party - defeated his allies in parliamentary elections, forming a ruling coalition that has shunted him aside and now wants to impeach and oust him.

As a prelude, three of Pakistan's four provincial assemblies passed resolutions this week denouncing Musharraf and urging him to seek votes of confidence or resign. The resolutions have accused Musharraf of violating the constitution and gross misconduct.

His allies have said they would defend the president and that they would prefer that he fights the impeachment charges, though they acknowledge quitting is an option.