This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7547300.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Musharraf 'to face impeachment' Musharraf 'to face impeachment'
(10 minutes later)
Pakistan's ruling coalition parties say they will begin impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf.Pakistan's ruling coalition parties say they will begin impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf.
Party leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif made the announcement after three days of talks. They would need a two-thirds majority to impeach.Party leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif made the announcement after three days of talks. They would need a two-thirds majority to impeach.
Mr Musharraf took power in a bloodless coup in 1999.Mr Musharraf took power in a bloodless coup in 1999.
He gave up control of the army last year and his allies were defeated in February's elections but he retains the power to dissolve parliament.He gave up control of the army last year and his allies were defeated in February's elections but he retains the power to dissolve parliament.
Mr Musharraf has previously said he would resign rather than face impeachment proceedings.Mr Musharraf has previously said he would resign rather than face impeachment proceedings.
New territoryNew territory
Mr Zardari, of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and the PML-N's Narwaz Sharif announced the impeachment move at a press conference in Islamabad.Mr Zardari, of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), and the PML-N's Narwaz Sharif announced the impeachment move at a press conference in Islamabad.
Mr Zardari said: "We have good news for democracy. The coalition believes it is imperative to move for impeachment against General Musharraf."Mr Zardari said: "We have good news for democracy. The coalition believes it is imperative to move for impeachment against General Musharraf."
STEPS TO IMPEACHMENT Impeachment proposers need 50% majority in Senate or National AssemblyPresident given notice of impeachment, and has three days to respondJoint session of Senate and Assembly must be held between 7 and 14 days later to investigate chargesIf resolution presented, joint session must approve with two-thirds majority OTHER POSSIBLE SCENARIO President dissolves parliament, placing country under emergency rule to prevent impeachment
Mr Zardari, the widower of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, derided Mr Musharraf's economic policies, adding: "He has worked to undermine the transition to democracy."
He also warned Mr Musharraf not to dissolve parliament, saying: "If he does it, it will be his last verdict against the people."
Before any impeachment vote, Mr Musharraf must first face votes of confidence in the national and four provincial assemblies.Before any impeachment vote, Mr Musharraf must first face votes of confidence in the national and four provincial assemblies.
The two leaders also promised to restore judges sacked under Mr Musharraf's emergency rule once impeachment was successful.The two leaders also promised to restore judges sacked under Mr Musharraf's emergency rule once impeachment was successful.
Mr Musharraf had been scheduled to attend the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing but has cancelled and will be replaced by Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says an impeachment would take Pakistani politics into new territory, since no Pakistani leader has faced it before.The BBC's Mark Dummett in Islamabad says an impeachment would take Pakistani politics into new territory, since no Pakistani leader has faced it before.
The president is still thought to have heavy influence over the military and its reaction will remain crucial.The president is still thought to have heavy influence over the military and its reaction will remain crucial.
Pakistan has been ruled by military leaders for more than half of its existence since Partition in 1948. Pakistan has been ruled by military leaders for more than half of its existence since Partition in 1947.