Musharraf vows to hit back coalition's allegations

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-11 19:26

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Monday that he would prove the allegations of ruling coalition against him false before the nation soon, local TV channel reported.

Musharraf said in a meeting with former ruling party members that he would face all the allegations of the ruling coalition, and the nation would know about the facts in two to three days, private Geo TV reported.

Musharraf's remarks came after the ruling coalition parties on Thursday announced that they would launch impeachment against the president.

The coalition led by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has reportedly finished a draft charge-sheet against Musharraf containing misconduct, financial irregularities, violations of the Constitution and criminal acts.

But the PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Benazir Bhutto's widower, hoped that the president would choose to resign before the impeachment motion is submitted to parliament.

On Sunday, presidential spokesman Rashid Qureshi denied Musharraf's resignation, saying the allegations against Musharraf are baseless.

The coalition, also including junior party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been at odds with the president since it won the February 18 general elections and formed a new government.

The government had summoned a parliament session on Monday, possibly talking about the impeachment motion.

Analysts say that it will take some time to move the impeachment motion in parliament as the four provincial assemblies are expected to first pass a resolution demanding Musharraf take a vote of confidence. And if Musharraf fails to take the vote, impeachment will be initiated.

The coalition needs two-thirds majority votes in a joint session of upper and lower houses.