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Ruling parties in Musharraf talks Ruling parties in Musharraf talks
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan's ruling alliance is expected to decide whether to begin moves to try to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, following three days of talks.Pakistan's ruling alliance is expected to decide whether to begin moves to try to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, following three days of talks.
Mr Musharraf delayed his departure to China to attend the opening of the Olympics, after earlier suggestions he might cancel the trip entirely. Mr Musharraf has delayed his departure to China to attend the opening of the Olympics, after earlier suggestions he might cancel the trip entirely.
The president's allies were defeated in elections in February, but he has so far resisted pressure to quit.The president's allies were defeated in elections in February, but he has so far resisted pressure to quit.
The governing coalition are divided over whether to impeach Mr Musharraf. The governing coalition is divided over whether to impeach Mr Musharraf.
Latest reports from Islamabad quote "senior coalition sources" saying a deal has been reached in principle on impeaching the president, but these have not been confirmed.
Correspondents say it is also far from clear whether the ruling alliance could muster the required two-thirds majority needed in both houses of parliament.
'Special relations'
The president was due to leave for the Chinese capital, Beijing, on Wednesday but at the last minute the trip was cancelled. No reason was given.The president was due to leave for the Chinese capital, Beijing, on Wednesday but at the last minute the trip was cancelled. No reason was given.
A statement from the foreign ministry later said that he would leave for China on Thursday.A statement from the foreign ministry later said that he would leave for China on Thursday.
Work is under way to finalise the draft of a joint statement PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar Q&A: Pakistan's judges
"In view of our special relations with China, the president has decided to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics," said the foreign ministry statement on Wednesday."In view of our special relations with China, the president has decided to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics," said the foreign ministry statement on Wednesday.
"The president will now leave for China tomorrow."
China is one of Pakistan's closest allies, and it would have been highly unusual for a Pakistani leader to call off a visit at such short notice.China is one of Pakistan's closest allies, and it would have been highly unusual for a Pakistani leader to call off a visit at such short notice.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan, in Islamabad, says the question of whether or not to impeach Mr Musharraf has threatened to divide the governing coalition.The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan, in Islamabad, says the question of whether or not to impeach Mr Musharraf has threatened to divide the governing coalition.
Early in what was a dramatic day on Wednesday, the threat of a new opposition onslaught appeared sufficient to force him to cancel his Beijing trip. Yet by evening a spokesman said he would travel as planned.Early in what was a dramatic day on Wednesday, the threat of a new opposition onslaught appeared sufficient to force him to cancel his Beijing trip. Yet by evening a spokesman said he would travel as planned.
That Mr Musharraf now feels confident enough to fly to China will suggest to many Pakistanis that for now at least he feels more secure in his position, our correspondent says. That Mr Musharraf felt confident enough to fly to China would suggest to many Pakistanis that for now at least he feels more secure in his position, our correspondent says.
The president has previously said he would prefer to resign than face impeachment.
Last year, he gave up control of the army, the country's most powerful institution, but he retains the power to dissolve parliament.
How the military reacts to any efforts to oust him would be crucial in determining his fate.
Opponents' movesOpponents' moves
Mr Musharraf was originally due to leave for China with the head of the governing Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari, officials said. The governing Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and its alliance partners appeared deadlocked by Wednesday evening over the impeachment moves.
It is not clear whether Mr Zardari plans to proceed with the trip. He has been holding more consultations with alliance partners. Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif met on Wednesday
The two sides have agreed to draw up a joint charge sheet against the president... and ask him to defend himself before parliament Khwaja Asif, PML-N Q&A: Pakistan's judges
But by Wednesday evening, those talks appeared deadlocked.
At one point, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stormed out following the announcement that Mr Musharraf had issued orders to reinstate some of Pakistan's top judges.At one point, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stormed out following the announcement that Mr Musharraf had issued orders to reinstate some of Pakistan's top judges.
Mr Sharif argues that the president is attempting to divide the governing coalition.Mr Sharif argues that the president is attempting to divide the governing coalition.
Pakistan's governing coalition leaders are split on how to restore the judges the president sacked during a state of emergency in November. But progress appears to have been made since then.
A day earlier, the PPP and Mr Sharif's PML-N had indicated they were close to an agreement to impeach Mr Musharraf. PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar told the news agency AFP work was under way "to finalise the draft of a joint statement" by Thursday evening.
"The two sides have agreed to draw up a joint charge sheet against the president on the basis of available evidence, and ask him to defend himself before the parliament," Khwaja Asif of the PML-N told Geo TV. A spokesman for Mr Sharif's party also said an announcement was due.
A PPP spokesman said there was a growing feeling among the alliance leaders that Mr Musharraf was "no longer acceptable to the people of Pakistan".
Mr Musharraf's political allies were defeated in February elections, from which the PPP emerged as the largest party.Mr Musharraf's political allies were defeated in February elections, from which the PPP emerged as the largest party.
Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif met on Wednesday
In second place was the PML-N of Mr Sharif, whom President Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup.In second place was the PML-N of Mr Sharif, whom President Musharraf ousted in a 1999 coup.
The two parties formed an alliance in March, but have since been split over the issues of presidential impeachment and the reinstatement of the sacked judges. The two parties formed an alliance in March, but have since been split over the issues of presidential impeachment and the reinstatement of judges sacked by President Musharraf during a state of emergency in November.
The PML-N pulled out of the federal cabinet in May when the PPP refused to move immediately on these issues. The PML-N pulled out of the federal cabinet in May when PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari refused to move immediately on these issues.
The rift has caused a sense of paralysis in the government, which is under huge US pressure to curb attacks by Taleban and al-Qaeda militants based near the Afghan border. The rift has caused a sense of paralysis in the government, which is under pressure to tackle militancy and a worsening economy.