Musharraf rakes up Kashmir, keeps mum on impeachment

GOING GETS TOUGH: Musharraf keeps cards close to his chest; won't speak on impeachment.

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Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday night condemned "human rights violations" in Jammu and Kashmir but in a speech to his nation didn’t speak about the Government’s plan to impeach him.

"Every Pakistani is with our brothers and sisters in Srinagar. Kashmir beats in the heart of every Pakistani," Musharraf said in a speech on the eve of Pakistan's independence day.

Musharraf's remarks came hours after the Pakistan government said it was contacting the UN and would ask it to take note of the violence in Kashmir.

Musharraf described as "martyrs" the 21 people who died in the violence in Kashmir in the last couple of days.

Mushrraf's comments appeared to be an attempt to divert attention of his countrymen from the impeachment threat he was facing in Parliament.

The PPP-led ruling coalition plans to submit a "chargesheet" against the former military ruler in Parliament next week, accusing him of misconduct, violation of constitution and financial irregularities.

Musharraf attempted to reach out to the ruling coalition saying there was a need for a "conciliatory" approach rather than confrontation for Pakistan's political stability. "We need a conciliatory approach rather than confrontation," Musharraf said.