Qureshi: Musharraf could face impeachment

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf could face impeachment if he does not resign within two days, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Saturday.

The Pakistan People's Party official said the president, who has been accused of gross misconduct and violating the constitution while in office, could face impeachment proceedings as part of a growing campaign against him in Pakistan, the BBC reported.

PPP members, supported by officials in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, initiated the campaign against Musharraf last week.

Musharraf's office says the president has no plans to resign his post despite such mounting opposition.

The BBC said to impeach a president in Pakistan, a 50 percent majority in the Senate or National Assembly must support such a measure. Next, the president is informed of the proposal and given a chance to respond to any allegations.

The charges are then investigated by a joint session of the Assembly and Senate, which must pass a related resolution on the matter with a two-thirds majority.

The British broadcaster noted no Pakistani head of state has ever been impeached.