PPP, Govt to decide Musharraf's fate: Gilani

Islamabad, May 30: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said today "PPP, Govt will decide Musharraf's fate soon". His words came amid reports that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will soon step down on his own and vacate the presidency to lead a retired life. Prime Minister has said that the coalition partners and parliament will determine whether he will be impeached in case he doesn't move aside on his own.

He said that his government was strictly following the Constitution and law point on whether Musharraf could be removed or not. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and its coalition partners were in complete harmony despite having individual programmes and manifestoes, the Daily Times quoted him as saying here last evening while talking to reporters at the Convention Centre after addressing a symposium. He also reiterated the government's commitment to reinstating the sacked judges. Earlier, press reports had suggested that Musharraf had made up his mind to quit Presidency very soon, in order to have a safe passage and preempt moves, if any, from the federal government to impeach him.

His close aides said that he can make an announcement in this regard any time. They were of the view that after losing all hope of survival in power, the President has made up his mind to lead a retired life.

"There is no question of any extra-constitutional step by him or on his behalf. The President has lost the capacity to invoke constitutional provisions like 58-2 (b), dissolving the assembly and the government. The question of introducing an impeachment motion would not come as the President will leave office and get a safe passage. The drop scene of the drama that started on March 9 last year is bound to appear any time soon," sources close to him said.

They added that Musharraf has consented to leave the Army House immediately and he may move to the President House within 48 hours before calling it a day.

Word about Musharraf's plans to call it a day spread after he held a marathon meeting with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani. Described as an "extremely important", the meeting was held at the Army House Rawalpindi late on Wednesday night. The meeting continued till after midnight lasting more than three-and-a-half hours. This was their longest one-on-one encounter, and it assumed significance in view of the current political and security situation in the country.

ANI