The course of Pakistani politics can only be provisionally chartered. But it seems safe to say that President Pervez Musharraf’s days in office are numbered. The coalition government is drafting a lengthy charge-sheet, which will contain hundreds of pages detailing the constitutional violations and criminal activities committed by the president. One senator excitedly claimed that if the charge-sheet were to be dropped into the river Ravi, it would incite flash flooding.

Over the weekend, Musharraf’s allies in the government began urging him to resign with dignity, especially after many agreed to participate in the impeachment process. Even the US has shied away from open support for him; officials have stated that they will not interfere in the impeachment process and are instead asking that he be allowed to remain safely in Pakistan. The end, therefore, must be nigh.

However, the impeachment process, once initiated, could take weeks; the constitution does not set a deadline for passing a resolution. Before the impeachment proceedings begin, in an effort to complete Musharraf’s humiliation, the government has also asked the provincial assemblies to call for the president to take a new vote of confidence. Since he is bound to be opposed by substantial majorities, the confidence vote can be read as an attempt to give the impeachment movement more momentum. Ever the battle-hardened soldier, Musharraf is not going to take these parliamentary acrobatics lying down. While it seems unlikely that he will dissolve parliament as his presidential powers permit, it is clear that he is reluctant to resign, and is vowing to clear his name.

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