Charges prepared against Musharraf

Charges prepared against Musharraf
Impeachment charges against Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf have been prepared, the ruling coalition has said.The charges focus on violation of the constitution and misconduct, Ashan Iqbal, a senior official of the second biggest coalition party, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

However, speculation continues to mount that President Musharraf, the former army chief and ally of the US, will quit despite denials by his spokesman.

Mr Iqbal said the charges have been handed to the minister of law for scrutiny, saying: "There is a long list of charges against him ... we will file them, by the latest, by Tuesday."

Last week, the ruling coalition party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said it would bring charges against Mr Musharraf.

President Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup but saw his popularity wane last year when he clashed with the judiciary and imposed a six-week stint of emergency rule to thwart opposition to his efforts to secure another term.

The imposition of emergency rule on November 3, 2007, is the main charge on the list, Mr Iqbal said.

The crisis has heightened concern in the US and other allies about the stability of the nuclear-armed Muslim state, which is in the front line of the campaign against Islamic militancy.

The US embassy has not commented on reports its ambassador has been involved in negotiations, while the British High Commission has denied reports a former UK ambassador has been mediating.

Government officials and Mr Musharraf's spokesman both denied media reports Saudi Arabian intelligence chief, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz, who mediated in Pakistan's political crisis last year, had visited on Friday.