Pakistan's parliament is set to put forward today or tomorrow a motion to impeach President Pervez Musharraf, who has so far stubbornly resisted intense pressure to resign.
Back-channel negotiations between the government and Musharraf have not so far produced a deal, though he is still most likely to resign rather than face impeachment proceedings. But if he decides to go, it could happen as early as today.
An aide revealed that the president is now plotting to have the final say, rebutting whatever accusations are levelled against him, then finally quitting before the impeachment hearings begin. According to sources close to Musharraf, his camp is split between those who want him to fight on and others urging him to go now.
A middle position may have emerged. It is understood that he is considering waiting for the government to publish the "charge sheet" against him, after which he will call a press conference where he will refute the allegations and then resign.
The main pro-Musharraf party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, is concerned that it will be badly damaged, by association, if he goes out with a whimper. One unnamed presidential supporter said: "We want him to defend himself, not just dump us and leave. Once and for all, he should answer all those questions."
Musharraf suspended the constitution for six weeks towards the end of last year. Subversion of the constitution is one of the grounds for impeachment. Although the president cannot muster enough support to beat the parliamentary motion, analysts believe he does hold some strong cards, as the government has been heavily lobbied by western allies and Pakistan's powerful army, which do not want to see messy and risky impeachment proceedings.
Musharraf presided over Pakistan's role in the "war on terror" and issues such as Pakistani terror suspects - hundreds of whom disappeared - could feature in the prosecution. "Nobody wants the Pandora's box opened up," said Najam Sethi, editor of Pakistan's Daily Times. "The issue of impeachment is really a non-starter."
The issue of where Musharraf will live has been central to negotiations with the government. He has set his heart on retiring to his mansion, currently under construction, in Chak Shahzad, an exclusive district just outside Islamabad. But the coalition government believes that his continued presence in Pakistan, particularly so close to the capital, would be politically damaging for them.
His luxurious retirement retreat is months away from being finished, though and builders are racing to complete it. It is unclear how secure the house would be for a man thought to top the hit list for al-Qaida and Pakistani extremist groups. Though there is thought to be a bunker below the building and there is a high boundary wall, topped with barbed wire, the property backs on to a main road.
Friends say that he plans to stay in Karachi until the house is finished but the government is desperate for him to leave the country.
It is thought that while the army has indicated to Musharraf that it is time for him to go, military chiefs have also made it clear to the government that they did not want to see the president - who was head of the army until November - humiliated with the impeachment.
A similar message has been delivered to the government and Musharraf by Saudi Arabia, Britain and the US. The coalition government in Islamabad, which is led by the Pakistan People's party, indicated that it is willing to cut a deal. "We are not interested in politics of vendetta," said Sherry Rehman, a leading member of the PPP and a senior minister. "We want political stability and the government's focus should be on the people's betterment."
The Middle East - and Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates in particular - are the most likely destination for Musharraf if he is forced into exile. The US, for the first time since its close ally was threatened by impeachment 10 days ago, said that it would not take him in.
Granting Musharraf asylum was not an "issue on the table", said the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, yesterday. "I just want to keep our focus on what we must do with the democratic government of Pakistan."