Allies call on beleaguered Musharraf to quit

PAKISTAN: Pressure is mounting on Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf from his own allies to step down before the ruling coalition tries to impeach him this month, officials said on Sunday.

Pakistan has been in political turmoil since early last year. The United States and its allies fear a prolonged political and constitutional crisis.

The governing coalition led by the party of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto decided on Thursday to move to impeach Musharraf, saying he plunged Pakistan into political and economic crises during nearly nine years of single-handed rule.

Islamabad, Sunday, Reuters