Musharraf contacting 'likeminded politicians' to escape impeachment

Islamabad, June 3 : Amid rumours that the PPP-led federal government in Islamabad was planning to remove President Pervez Musharraf though impeachment, the Presidency has hastened its efforts to establish contacts with the 'likeminded politicians' for their support to save the President from impeachment.

According to highly placed sources, the increasing pressure for resignation or impeachment of the President has created concerns in the Presidency, which has started contacts with allied politicians, some of which were even not in the position to back the president openly.

The sources said that the President's aides have contacted Pir Pagara, Altaf Hussain, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Mir Zafarullah Jamali, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Hamid Nasir Chattha, Mian Manzoor Wattoo, Jan Muhammad Jamali and other politicians, in order to muster support to scuttle the Government's move, if any.

These leaders have been requested to issue pro-Musharraf statements like Senator Nisar A. Memon to counter the rival political parties lobbying for impeachment of the President.

Rumours about Musharraf's possible impeachment emerged last week after Musharraf had a marathon meeting with COAS Gen Kayani. The duo is expected to chalk out strategy in case the Government brings about the impeachment motion in the Parliament. The meeting was seen as an attempt on the part of Musharraf to once again proclaim emergency and suspend the government machinery with the help of Gen Kayani.

ANI