ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Indications grew stronger Thursday that President Pervez Musharraf, whose allegiance has been a linchpin of the U.S. fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, will be pushed into resignation in the next few days rather than face an impeachment saga.
Close associates and Western diplomats have signaled that the former general’s camp has entered talks to ensure that if he does step aside, he will be allowed to head into self-imposed exile rather than face potential trial in Pakistan for constitutional violations and corruption.
A fourth and final provincial assembly, in the southern province of Baluchistan, was poised today to demand that Musharraf quit or face a vote of confidence in national and regional assemblies, setting the stage for the start of impeachment proceedings.
Over the past week, following a formal announcement by the new civilian ruling coalition that it would seek to oust the president, anti-Musharraf momentum has built, buoyed by fury over his declaration last year of emergency rule.
Under it, thousands of anti-government opponents were thrown into jail, the constitution was suspended, and senior judges, including the popular chief justice, were fired and have not yet been reinstated.
The ruling coalition, led by the party of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, said a detailed charge sheet against the president, including charges that he misappropriated millions of dollars in U.S. funds, would be presented next week.
