Musharraf is a guest for few days: Zardari

Lahore, Aug 13: President Pervez Musharraf will be 'a guest for a few days', said PPP Co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari. The new Pakistani President will be elected after consultation with all the parties in the ruling coalition. "As soon as the new President of Pakistan takes oath, he will abolish Article 58(2b) of the Constitution," the sources quoted Zardari as saying in an interview a TV channel on Tuesday, Aug 12 evening.

He said that the Pakistan Army and the intelligence agency the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) were not involved in politics and 'would not intervene in politics in future either'. Zardari's assertion assumes significance in the wake of statement made on Tuesday, Aug 12 by senior PML-Q leader that Musharraf might put in his papers on or before August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day. The leader had said that an announcement in this regard is expected to be made in a day or two.

Meanwhile, senior PPP leader and federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman said that the ruling coalition's Draft Committee had finalised a charge-sheet against Musharraf, and that 'violation of constitution' topped the list of allegations against him.

According to her, the copies of the charge-sheet were given to the leaders of the coalition parties.

Sources said the charges (against Musharraf) included a military operation in Balochistan and the killing of Akbar Bugti, military operations in FATA and at the Lal Masjid, the 'missing persons' issue and financial irregularities.

ANI