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Musharraf 'not resigning' over impeachment

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  • "Back-channel" contacts being used to seek compromise, sources say
  • Musharraf has dominated Pakistani politics since seizing power in 1999
  • His political opponents won elections in February and are preparing a charge sheet
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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is negotiating through "back-channel contacts" to reach a compromise that would let him avoid impeachment, according to an official with the pro-Musharraf political party, PML-Q.

Protesters against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf march in Islamabad Thursday night.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf will not resign over impeachment charges, spokesman says.

However, Musharraf's spokesman called "baseless" the local media reports that he had decided to resign before Monday, when impeachment charges are expected to be filed.

The push for Musharraf's removal gained steam this month, with three of Pakistan's four provincial assemblies calling for him to step down or face impeachment. Lawmakers in a fourth province, Balochistan, have indicated they'll vote soon on a similar resolution.

The resolutions are non-binding, but they signal a growing drumbeat by Pakistani lawmakers to pressure the politically embattled president to leave office.

Tariq Azim, PML-Q information secretary, said it was taking the ruling coalition a long time to compile a list of impeachment charges against Musharraf, making it a long, drawn process "which will be harmful to the country."

"Because the impeachment process is very harmful to the country and may damage the country, we have to find a middle ground through reconciliation and talks," Azim said.

Azim said that talks with the lead party in the ruling coalition -- the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) -- "are going in the right direction."

One option is for Musharraf to resign "provided there are guarantees," he said.

"As I read the president, he will never leave the country and wants to stay here," Azim said.

General Rashid Qureshi, Musharraf's spokesman, denied reports that the president was in talks with the PPP to avoid impeachment.

Sherry Rehman, the PPP spokeswoman, gave no details about the talks but she said "the party is not in the politics of revenge."

The parliamentary process to unseat Musharraf would be arduous. The ruling coalition would have to compile a list of charges against Musharraf to impeach him. Once lawmakers submit charges, the National Assembly -- the lower house of Parliament -- would vote on whether to move forward with impeachment.

A majority vote would be required for the charges to be considered. Next would come an actual vote on impeaching Musharraf.

Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup nearly nine years ago and ruled Pakistan until his foes swept to victory in parliamentary elections in February. He has seen his power erode significantly since then.

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It is unclear how much support he still has among the military brass. The army has indicated that it wants to stay out of politics.

Musharraf has long been an ally of the United States, which has sent Pakistan billions of dollars in aid during his administration to deprive Islamic militants of the sanctuary they have established along the country's rugged border with Afghanistan.

CNN's Reza Sayah contributed to this report

All About PakistanPervez MusharrafNawaz Sharif

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