In a defiant mood

AS the ruling coalition has decided to impeach General Musharraf, the mood in the Presidential camp is that of defiance. The President cancelled his scheduled visit to Beijing and started consultations with his political allies and legal aides, including Mr Sharifuddin Peerzada.. He said he would defeat all those who tried to push him to the wall. Further, he would prefer to go down fighting rather than give in to “those who are doing so to create more political divisions.” Meanwhile, PML(Q) and MQM leaders have announced that they would defend the President in case a move is made to remove him. The option of the use of Article 58(2(b) by the President is also being widely discussed in the media where it is generally being considered impractical on account of the unpopularity of the President and the strong opposition to a move of the type not only from the two mainstream parties but also the ANP, the JUI(F), the APDM, the volatile legal community and wide sections of civil society.