FROM A RINGSIDE SEAT

The support for President Musharraf was almost missing, like dying moment of the day, in the National Assembly on Tuesday as the smooth session turned into chaos and echoed with "Go Musharraf go slogans and thumping desk" when Marvi Memon, only diehard vocal member of the opposition uttered some words in praise for him.
The visibly enthusiastic ruling coalition members in light mood were seen chatting with each other. Some journalists kept talking on mobile phones while other guessing as to what would be the fate of impeachment. The people in small groups standing in lobby corners and sitting in the cafeteria were too talking about the topic of the day and its possible outcome. The impression, by and large, was that it was becoming difficult with every passing day for Musharraf to face the impeachment.
"Will Musharraf resign or face impeachment?" was the question being asked by everyone. A ruling member confidently said that everything would be clear in few days and the issue may not go to extend of impeachment. He clearly meant that Musharraf will resign instead of facing impeachment.
Being the Private member day, a low key business, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi presided over the proceedings. The Agenda of the Day had listed 100 items for the day but some of them could not be taken up.
A good day for Pakistan People's Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) Chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao for supporting impeachment resolution and a bad day for Marvi Memon whose support for Musharraf met with strong criticism by ruling members.
As soon as the NA proceedings were suspended for Asar Prayer, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan went straight to Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao seat at the opposition benches and greeted him for supporting impeachment resolution in the NWFP Assembly.
The smiling Prime Minister also talked with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNAs Khushbakht Shujaat and Waseem Akhtar, fanning an impression at the press gallery that the ruling collation might get the MQM support in favour of impeachment resolution, to be presented in the Sindh Assembly today (Wednesday) as MQM is already sitting in coalition with PPP in the province.
Marvi Memon who praised Musharraf for his economic uplift of Northern Areas and services for the people of Kashmir broke out the patience of ruling alliance that lashed out strong criticism on President Musharraf and described him as "serial killer".
"Musharraf is a serial killer," said PML-N Khawaja Saad Rafiq as his speech was supported by other members of ruling collation with thumbing of desk and go Musharraf go slogans. He wondered how he could be given the credit for strengthening Kashmir movement as he was not only responsible for Kargil misadventure but also compromised on Kashmir issue.
Khawaja asked the democratic forces not to support a dictator who had not only violated constitution but also overthrown a democratic government as well as appreciated Pakistan Muslim League (Q) for making a statement that it would distance itself from Musharraf he opted for using 58(2)(B) against the people's elected government.
If anybody supports Musharraf at this critical stage, he is not from political background, Khawaja sounded loudly with his face moving towards opposition benches. "We are political people and could settle our issue in the political ways but urged the members not to support a dictator who has trampled constitution and democracy in the country."
Surprisingly, as he dubbed Musharraf as serial killer no voice was raised from the opposition benches while Marvi Memon whose word of praise for Musharraf invited criticism for the President was quietly left the house, may be sensing the support for him in the House.