Amir Mir/DNA

Lahore, May 31: While Pakistan’s embattled President Pervez Musharraf has dismissed widespread reports of his imminent resignation, government circles in Islamabad insist the president is on his way out. He has been given a June 10 deadline by PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari. He has been asked to quit or face impeachment proceedings by the parliament.

According to well-placed PPP insiders, Tariq Aziz, the secretary of the National Security Council, who is a close aide of Musharraf, was told by Zardari on Thursday night during a one-on-one meeting that Musharraf should step down honourably before June 10 to get a safe exit or face humiliation in the form of an impeachment trial. The PPP circles insist that the president is giving a serious thought to Zardari’s suggestion.

At the meeting attended by Prime Minister Yousaf Gillani and Gen Ashfaq Kiyani, Musharraf accused ‘rumour mongers’ of trying to create differences between him and the army and create unrest in the country. Musharraf’s long-time spokesman Major General (retd) Rashid Qureshi has been busy as usual scotching reports that his leader is about to resign.

However, The News reported on Friday that a special wide-bodied Airbus A-310 aircraft has been parked at the Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi to take Musharraf and his family out of Pakistan after he resigns. The newspaper further reports that packing at Musharraf’s official residence is in full swing and the modalities for his exit have also been finalised.

Additional security arrangements have been made at all the major installations of the two cities to ward off any untoward situation in the wake of his departure. The Pakistani print media has further reported that special security has been put in place in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in view of some significant developments and special contingents have been deployed at important installations as well as the Army House in Rawalpindi.

Bush calls Musharraf

US President George W Bush offered renewed backing for Pakistan during a telephone call he made to its president, Pervez Musharraf. “The president reiterated the US' strong support for Pakistan and he indicated he looked forward to Musharraf's continuing role in further strengthening US-Pakistani relations,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.