Saudi intelligence chief Muqrin bin Abd al-Aziz just departed Pakistan, after flying in for meetings with Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif, and Shujaat Hussain.

Nawaz is currently playing hardball with Musharraf — when there is a consensus among major power brokers in and outside Pakistan that the president’s resignation is a fait accompli.

Earlier reports indicated that Nawaz consented to resignation and a safe exit. So his reversion to a harder stance is likely a negotiating tactic over a particular element of a resignation + indemnity deal.

It could be that Nawaz does not want Musharraf to reside in Pakistan after leaving office; the goal would be to ensure he is out of the political process and has to experience what he did during his own exile.

Update: 12:56PM – Aaj TV reports that the Saudi intelligence chief has secured a deal between the coalition government and Pervez Musharraf. The president will resign from office by Sunday afternoon.