As speculation mounted that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf would resign instead of face impeachment, a leader of the new ruling coalition said Thursday that the embattled former army chief should not be granted legal immunity.Musharraf has not indicated publicly that he will step down, though his allies acknowledged this week that quitting is an option. His rivals say they could introduce an impeachment motion in parliament as early as next week, while observers say the president may be holding out for guarantees he will not face criminal charges if he does resign.
During a speech to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day Thursday, Musharraf called for reconciliation, but did not mention the moves against him. "I appeal to all elements to adopt an approach of reconciliation so that there is political stability and we can firmly confront the real problems facing the country," Musharraf said.
But in his own Independence Day address, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose party is a member of the ruling coalition, ruled out "safe passage" for Musharraf.
Sharif, who Musharraf pushed out of power in a 1999 coup, alleged the president had violated the constitution and compromised the nation's sovereignty, a reference to the president's alliance with the U.S. in the war on terror. Sharif's party has previously not only demanded Musharraf's impeachment but also called for him to be tried for treason -- which carries the death penalty.
"Should safe passage be given to someone who has done this to Pakistan?" Sharif asked a crowd in the eastern city of Lahore. "He wants safe passage by breaking Pakistan's law. He wants safe passage by breaking Pakistan's constitution. He is asking for safe passage by selling out Pakistan's sovereignty."