Coalition to move for Musharraf impeachment

By Kamran Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's ruling coalition will move to impeach President Pervez Musharraf on charges of plunging the country into a political and economic crisis, party leaders said on Thursday.

They also warned Musharraf, a former general who first came to power in a 1999 military coup, against any attempt to dismiss the government.

The move is likely to deepen political uncertainty in the nuclear-armed Muslim nation, a key U.S. ally which already faces a faltering economy and a threat from Islamist militants.

The situation has taken a toll on Pakistani markets, with the main share index at its weakest in almost two years and the rupee headed back towards all-time lows posted in early July.

Asif Ali Zardari, widower of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and head of the coalition, said parliament would be called immediately to begin impeachment proceedings.

"The coalition leaders believe that it has become imperative to move for impeachment," Zardari told a news conference with his coalition partner, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Musharraf's spokesman was not immediately available but his allies say he will fight the impeachment.

"We elected him and now we will support him to defeat this move," Kamil Ali Agha, a leader of the main pro-Musharraf party said.