No immunity deal for Musharraf

Pakistan's ruling coalition leaders are expected to meet today to discuss replacing Pervez Musharraf, as a minister stressed that the government had not made an immunity deal with the embattled former president.

Mr Musharraf resigned yesterday in the face of possible impeachment.

Law minister Farooq Naek told reporters that coalition leaders had yet to make decisions on "accountability" for Mr Musharraf.

The second-biggest party in the government has said the long-time US-backed leader should be tried for treason, which could lead to the death penalty.

"There is no deal with the president, and he had himself resigned," Mr Naek said.

Local media reports have suggested Mr Musharraf might leave the country for security reasons - he is despised by Islamist militants and deeply unpopular among ordinary Pakistanis.

During his resignation speech, the president did not specify his plans, saying only that his future was in the hands of the people.

Mr Musharraf's exit leaves the politicians who pushed out the stalwart American ally facing severe challenges such as militancy and economic problems in an already impoverished and volatile country.

Besides discussing possible presidents and the judges, coalition leaders will discuss "the future plans of Musharraf" said Farhatullah Babar, a ruling party spokesman.

The talks may also address how to deal with restoring dozens of judges Mr Musharraf sacked last year.

Mr Babar also confirmed that the National Assembly speaker accepted Mr Musharraf's resignation, while Mohammedmian Soomro, the Senate chairman, had taken charge as acting president.

Pakistan's president is elected by MPs, a process that is supposed to be completed within 30 days.

How the coalition government deals with succession - whether it leads to a power struggle or a united front - is a looming question at a critical time for the country. Analysts say earlier infighting over Mr Musharraf's future and the mechanics of bringing back the judges had distracted the government from tackling important issues.

"There is a huge challenge ahead," said Shafqat Mahmood, a political analyst. "Now this whole Musharraf excuse is behind us. Now people are going to be focusing on their performance."

Mr Musharraf, seized power in a 1999 coup and dominated Pakistan for years, supporting the US in the war on terror. But his popularity sank over time.

Pakistanis blamed rising violence in the country on Mr Musharraf's alliance with Washington. For many, his decisions to sack the judges and impose temporary emergency rule last year - aimed at avoiding challenges to his rule - were a final straw.

His rivals won February parliamentary elections, largely sidelining him while clamouring for him to quit. They announced an impeachment campaign earlier this month, leading Mr Musharraf to ultimately calculate he could not stay.

In his speech yesterday, Mr Musharraf listed the many problems now facing Pakistan, including its sinking economy and a chronic power shortages, and suggested his opponents were targeting him to mask their own failings.

"I am going with the satisfaction that whatever I have done was for the people and for the country ... I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes," he said.