The numbers game

THE ruling coalition has launched moves to acquire the support of 295 members of Parliament to impeach the President. The Presidential camp is trying its level best to foil the attempt while at the same time toying with the idea of taking recourse to Article 58(2b). PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari is reportedly hoping to net as many as 350 parliamentarians. On Thursday, the Punjab Assembly passed a unanimous resolution calling on the National Assembly to scrap Article 58(2b), which indicates the depth of public sentiment against the provision. All the four provincial assemblies are expected next week to pass resolutions calling on the President to seek a vote of confidence or quit. President Musharraf meanwhile has said he would reply to the chargesheet being prepared against him in Parliament. In separate statements, both Washington and London have indicated they consider the move for impeachment an internal affair of the country.