Impeach-Musharraf campaign launched

With PML(N) Chief Nawaz Sharif raising the pitch for President Pervez Mushrarraf's trial, his party MPs on Sunday said they have launched a signature campaign calling for the former general's impeachment.

Hanif Abbasi, a PML-N lawmaker, told reporters outside parliament that 48 lawmakers of his party had so far signed the motion.

A final decision in the matter would be taken at the next joint meeting of the parliamentary parties of the PML-N and its ally Pakistan People's Party, he said.

"The leadership of the PML-N and PPP have said that Musharraf should be impeached. Till today, 48 signatures have been obtained (for the impeachment motion)," Abbasi said.

He pointed out that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had himself said that the people wanted Musharraf's ouster from the Presidency.

"The people's view is that the individual against whom they had given a verdict in the February 18 general election is still sitting in the Presidency and Army House. It is now the parliament's job to remove him," Abbasi said.

PML-N chief Sharif has been insisting on Musharraf's removal since the President's supporters were routed in the general election. Sharif, who was ousted as prime minister in a military coup led by Musharraf in 1999, has said the former military strongman should also be held accountable for his actions over the past eight-and-half years.

The PPP has so far held back from acting on the PML-N's demand for the impeachment of Musharraf, saying the ruling coalition does not have the two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament that is required for such a move.

While the PPP-led coalition has a two-thirds majority in the lower house of parliament, the opposition PML-Q has a slender majority in the Senate or upper house.