The intensity of the behind-the-scenes power struggle on the Pakistani political arena could be felt when Pervez Musharraf abruptly changed his decision to attend the summer Olympiad's opening gala and sent Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani instead.

It was after three days of consecutive meetings that Musharraf's bitter rivals, the Pakistan's People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on Aug. 7 finally ironed out their differences and announced they would launch an impeachment against the president.

Theoretically, Musharraf could use his constitutional right to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections. But his legal advisors and supporters from the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) were against taking the step which they worried could plunge the country into deep political turmoil and lose the confidence of the public.

As a matter of fact, Musharraf's popularity at home plummeted last year as he declared a state of emergency on Nov. 3, 2007 and sacked around 60 judges, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

In the Feb. 18 general elections, the PPP and PML-N emerged as two largest parties in the National Assembly. The pro-Musharraf PML-Q was pushed into opposition.

On Aug. 7, the ruling coalition initiated impeachment proceedings. Soon, four provincial assemblies passed resolutions against Musharraf, asking him to take a vote of confidence or resign.

In response to the coalition's bid to impeach Musharraf, the United States, which had been bolstering him whenever he faced a crisis before, said this time that it was "the internal politics of Pakistan."

It was under such domestic and external circumstances that the 65-year-old strongman chose to quit, analysts said.

"I have consulted all legal experts, my political supporters. With their advice, I have decided to quit," Musharraf said in a televised national address on Monday.

Musharraf's decision to resign was seen by many as the most decent way to avoid the humiliation of impeachment and was praised by the United States.

The United States also made a goodwill offer, saying if Musharraf were to request residence (exile) in the United States, officials would examine that request.

Some even suggest that Musharraf had obtained promises of legal immunity from the ruling coalition before he agreed to resign.

After Musharraf's retreat, the coalition parties are struggling to tackle their differences on a host of issues, including the election of the next president and the reinstatement of judges sacked by the retired general.

PPP parliamentarians have nominated party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as their candidate for the presidency, a party leader said Thursday.

Earlier, Chaudri Nisar Ali, a leading member of the PML-N, said his party wants a retired judge or politician from Northwest Frontier Province or Baluchisan to be the next president.

Nawaz Sharif, leader of the PML-N, demanded an immediate reinstatement of more than 60 judges purged by Musharraf, but Zardari was reluctant to do so, arguing it should be brought about through a constitutional package.

After experiencing all the political ups and downs, Musharraf has been seen playing tennis and relaxing with friends and his family in recent days.

Musharraf wants to relax by writing, practicing sports and spending more time with his family after his resignation, a close aide said Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)