World | Pakistan
Pakistan parties to discuss Musharraf's successor
Pakistan's ruling coalition remained deadlocked over the judiciary and key issues, one day after Musharraf quit.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:50 August 19, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- The two main parties, PPP and PML(N) were unable to agree on the judiciary.
Islamabad: Leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition emerged empty-handed from several hours of talks over how to tackle crucial economic and security issues, one day after Pervez Musharraf resigned as president.
Musharraf resigned on Monday in the face of possible impeachment.
The two main parties, PPP and PML(N) headed by Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif respectively, were unable to agree on the judiciary, an issue that has sparked conflict for many months.
Sharif's party is insisting the judges be restored to office, but failed to reach consensus with the PPP.
The leader of a smal party said the coalition had been given three days to resolve the problem.
"We have been assigned to reach a consensus on the situation within the next 72 hours and play our role in finding a final solution," Fazal-ur-Rehman, told reporters.
Besides discussing possible presidents and the judges, coalition leaders were to discuss "the future plans of Musharraf" said Farhatullah Babar, a ruling party spokesman.
Babar also said that the National Assembly speaker has accepted Musharraf's resignation, while Senate chairman Mohammedmian Soomro has taken charge as acting president.
Meanwhile, Pakistan law minister Farooq Naek said that the government has not struck an immunity deal with Musharraf. "There is no deal with the president, and he had himself resigned," Naek said.
Local media reports have suggested Musharraf might leave the country for security reasons.
During his resignation speech Monday, Musharraf did not specify his plans, saying only that his future was in the hands of the people.
"I am going with the satisfaction that whatever I have done was for the people and for the country...I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes," he said.
Related Links
- Musharraf resignation accepted
- Implications of Musharraf's resignation
- Deal on Musharraf expected shortly
- Musharraf's turbulent era in pictures
- Musharraf loyalists may now pay the price
- Pakistanis likely to cut down new investments in UAE
- Musharraf ready to face impeachment charges
- United States commends Musharraf
- 'End of all problems'
- Opinion: Region needs a strong Pakistan
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
