Pak Army to ask Musharraf to resign in a week: report

8220;Over the next few days they will make it clear to Musharraf that a protracted battle against impeachment is not in Pakistan8217;s interests,8221; the unnamed official claimed.

One of the main arbiters of power in Pakistan, the Army has already publicly declared that the military would take a 8220;neutral8221; stand on the country8217;s domestic politics.

8220;The Army is neutral but is expecting him to resign. It will then influence his honourable safe passage as the Army8217;s senior leadership would not want him to be punished,8221; a former military aide to the President told the British daily.

Meanwhile, the ruling coalition has called a session of the National Assembly on Monday even as Musharraf ruled out dissolving the House to overcome the crisis facing him.

The 342-member Lower House will meet at 5 PM on August 11 for a session that will decide the fate of the 64-year-old Musharraf who himself issued the notification at the behest of the PPP-led ruling coalition which is moving for his impeachment.

Amid mounting speculation about how he would handle the challenge, Musharraf pledged to face the impeachment motion in a 8220;democratic spirit8221; and not to use his constitutional powers to dissolve the Assembly.