Pakistan's Parliament on Monday opened a crucial session which is likely to take up an impeachment motion against beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf, who has vowed not to quit under any circumstances.
Ahead of the convening of the 342-member National Assembly, lower house of Parliament, the lawmakers from the PPP-led ruling coalition held a meeting chaired by Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani to discuss how they would go about the procedure to impeach the President.
During the coalition's meeting, it was decided that the Assembly session will continue till Musharraf's impeachment. The 100-member Senate, the upper house, is already in session.
A committee of PPP and PML-N leaders drafting a chargesheet against Musharraf also had its third meeting on Monday and decided to meet again on Tuesday to finalise the document containing allegations of misconduct, violation of Constitution and financial irregularities against the President.
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Major General Rashid Quresi said Musharraf will not step down "in any situation."
He said the ruling coalition has not even yet presented a formal chargesheet against Musharraf, who turned 65 today.
Leaders of the ruling coalition have accused Musharraf of incompetence, pursuing economic policies that have brought Pakistan to the brink of an economic crisis, violating the Constitution and criminal acts.
After the four provincial assemblies pass separate resolutions asking Musharraf to seek a vote of confidence in Parliament, the PPP-led coalition will submit an impeachment motion and chargesheet against him in the National Assembly.
{{/usCountry}}After the four provincial assemblies pass separate resolutions asking Musharraf to seek a vote of confidence in Parliament, the PPP-led coalition will submit an impeachment motion and chargesheet against him in the National Assembly.
{{/usCountry}}The impeachment motion needs to be passed by a two-thirds majority or 295 members during a joint sitting of Parliament.