Pakistan ? Indications grew stronger Thursday that President Pervez Musharraf, whose allegiance has been a linchpin of the U.S. fight against the Taliban and al-Qaida, will be pushed into resigning in the next few days rather than face a humiliating impeachment saga.

Longtime allies of the Pakistani president have fallen by the wayside. Close associates and Western diplomats signaled that the former general’s camp has entered talks to ensure that if he does step aside, he will be allowed to head abroad into self-imposed exile rather than potentially stand trial for constitutional violations and corruption.

The Bush administration fears that Musharraf’s abrupt departure could bring instability to a country that possesses nuclear weapons and whose government has little authority over tribal areas along its border with Afghanistan.

U.S. intelligence has warned that elements of the Taliban and al-Qaida have regrouped in the region, and Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding there.