Speaking after a meeting of the committee of PPP and PML-N leaders that is framing the impeachment motion and chargesheet against Musharraf, Rehman said a “tidal wave” had been set in motion against Musharraf with two provincial assemblies passing resolutions asking him to seek a vote of confidence in parliament.

“When the day comes next week, when we move our resolution for the joint (sitting of the National Assembly and Senate), we will have much more (votes) than we need (to impeach the President),” she told reporters.

The statement came as PPP-Sherpao, the ruling PPP’s breakaway faction that supported Musharraf over the past five years, became the latest group to distance itself from the President.

“The PML-N’s Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Pakistan People’s Party’s Khurshid Shah requested us to support the ruling coalition regarding the impeachment,” PPP-S parliamentary leader Sikandar Sherpao said.

Musharraf’s main ally PML(Q) is also facing an imminent split with its MP Sardar Bahadur Khan Sihar advising the President to gracefully quit and claiming to have “support” of a dozen MPs and a couple of senators.

Four independent senators from Federally Administered Tribal Areas have also asked Musharraf to quit and pledged to support the impeachment motion.

“The concerned parties should understand the situation and not waste the time of the nation. The impeachment process can be avoided if Gen Musharraf resigns. I believe that is the best option for him,” Dar said.

Though Rehman refused to give details about the chargesheet, other PPP and PML-N leaders have said in the past few days that the charges to be brought against Musharraf include incompetence, violating and subverting the constitution, financial irregularities and pursuing policies that have brought Pakistan to the brink of an economic crisis.

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