Effort to impeach Pervez Musharraf
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The movement to impeach Pervez Musharraf is an August 2008 attempt by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam to force Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf out of office.
Background
On November 3, 2007, President and then-Chief of the Army Staff Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, postponing indefinitely the elections for the National Assembly of Pakistan that were initially scheduled to take place on January 8, 2008.[1] The emergency announcement also contained news of the dismissal of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, widely considered to have been motivated by a prediction that the Supreme Court was about to invalidate Musharraf's October reelection.[2] This action, combined with a broad-based pro-democracy movement occuring in Pakistan at the time, led to a precipitous fall in Musharraf's popularity.[2] Following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistani Election Commission announced that the election would occur on February 18.[3] The elections were won by the PPP and the PML-N, two parties hostile to Musharraf and his Pakistan Muslim League (Q) party.
Details
On August 7, 2008, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) agreed to force Musharraf to step down and began his impeachment. Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif announced that the two parties would be sending a joint request asking that Musharraf step down, and that they would impeach him through the parliamentary process if he refused. Musharraf, however, said, "I will defeat those who try to push me to the wall. If they use their right to oust me, I have the right to defend myself."[4] Upon hearing the news, Musharraf delayed his departure for the Beijing Olympics by a day,[5] and it was later announced that he would be replaced at the opening ceremonies by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.[6] The government summoned the National Assembly, for a session on August 11 to begin the impeachment proceedings.[7] Capt. Wasif Syed, spokesman for the Pakistan People's Party, confirmed the announcement, saying, "A decision has been made that he has to go now, and all the parties have agreed on this point."[8] To impeach Musharraf, the ruling coalition will need a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, and it is not certain that they control the required number of votes.[9] Musharraf still has the option to fight his impeachment by dissolving parliament, although doing so could cause a backlash, and he would likely need the support of Pakistan's army to be successful.[9] Zirdari announced on TV that the impeachment would be under s.47 of the Paki Constitution. This provides the process for impeachment, but he did not mention the grounds. The 2007 impeachment proceedings, which led to the imposition of emergency rule, were based upon the provisions prohibiting the President of Pakistan from holding "an office of profit" from the Pakistan Government.
International reaction
United States - United States Department of State spokesman Gonzago Gallegos said, "We have consistently said the internal politics of Pakistan is an issue for the Pakistani people to decide," adding, "Our expectation is that any action will be consistent with the rule of law and the Pakistani constitution."[10]
References
- ^ "Musharraf targets key opponents". BBC News. 2007-11-04. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b Sarwar, Nadeem. "Analysis: Former commando Musharraf unlikely to go easily". Monsters and Critics. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Scotland Yard Probe Into Pakistan Leader Bhutto's Assassination". Sky News. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Hussain, Zahid. "President Musharraf of Pakistan to be impeached". The Times. 2008-08-08.
- ^ Haider, Kamran. "Paki rulers agree to begin Musharraf impeachment". Reuters. 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Pakistani PM to replace Musharraf to attend Beijing Olympic opening ceremony". Xinhua. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Paki coalition agrees to impeach Musharraf: officials". Agence France-Presse. Google News. [2008-08-07]].
- ^ "Pakistan: Musharraf could face impeachment". CNN. 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b Ahmad, Munir. "Pakistan's Musharraf faces impeachment". Associated Press. Google News. 2008-08-07.
- ^ "US says Musharraf impeachment bid an 'internal' matter". Agence France-Presse. Google News. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-07.