Islamabad:  Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani today said it is up to Pakistan's ruling coalition and the parliament to decide about the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan cannot afford confrontation or differences under the current circumstances and all matters, including impeaching the President, would be decided by the parliament, Gilani told reporters after addressing a symposium here.

"There is an opinion that the President should be impeached. But such an opinion should be backed by consensus. It is not necessary that if there is an opinion, one can go ahead without applying somebody s mind," he said.

"Ours is a coalition government, and when the coalition partners sit and think matters over, the issue will come up in parliament. And the parliament is supreme." Gilani s comments came amidst swirling rumours about the ouster of Musharraf from the Presidency. The presidential spokesman dismissed the rumours and said Musharraf had no plans to quit.

The Prime Minister said his government was strictly following the constitution and the law of the land. There is complete harmony between the Pakistan People s Party, which heads the coalition, and its partners even though they have their own programmes and manifestos, he said.

Source : PTI