Musharraf Resigns As President

[Desi Cartman]

NEW DELHI: Pervez Musharraf has stepped down as president of Pakistan to avoid impeachment charges. He made this announcement during a televised address to the nation on Monday. “After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign,” Musharraf said. ( Watch ) "I leave my future in the hands of people," he added. “Please forgive me, I am human,” he said. “I don't want Army to be dragged into this controversy,” he added. In his address to the nation Musharraf said, "I have confidence in self and on God that no chargesheet can stand against me. No charge can be proved against me, because I have never done for myself. I have done all for Pakistan." Musharraf said he was proud of his achievements. He defended his economic record. “We have taken the nation forward,” he said. Musharraf said his priority has been to evolve democracy in Pakistan He also criticised his detractors during the speech. “I have kept Pakistan’s interests over and above everything, I am proud to have fought for the country,” he said. The Pakistan president added all allegations against him were baseless. Musharraf said he had always been open to reconciliation with political parties. Meanwhile, the country's ruling coalition had prepared impeachment charges accusing Musharraf of violations of the constitution and misconduct. Musharraf, 65, came to power in a 1999 coup and has anchored Pakistan's alliance with the United States, especially since Pakistan signed up for the US-led campaign against terrorism after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Following are some of the political, economic and diplomatic implications of his resignation. INTERNAL POLITICS * Opposition to Musharraf has bonded rival parties in the coalition government. His departure could see them drift apart. * The Pakistan People's Party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto leads the coalition, with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) its main partner. The two main civilian parties are old rivals and despite recent cooperation, will compete in the next election. SECURITY * The coalition government has vowed full commitment to the campaign against violent militancy. Despite questions over its policy of trying to negotiate with militants, recent operations in the northwest should have reassured Washington and other allies the government will match Musharraf's security efforts. * The military plays a dominant role in security policy, and its cooperation with the new government has been smooth. FOREIGN RELATIONS * The United States, apparently resigned to Musharraf's exit, says Pakistan's leadership is a Pakistani matter. Ties between the new government and Washington are good and should remain so as long as the latter is satisfied the government is doing enough to stop militancy, in particular attacks into Afghanistan. * The new government is committed to the peace process with India launched under Musharraf in 2004. ECONOMY * The government has vowed to turn its attention to economic problems after Musharraf leaves. Inflation is at its highest in years, and trade and fiscal deficits are widening. High oil prices have depleted foreign reserves while the rupee has lost about a quarter of its value this year. An end to the uncertainty over Musharraf should ease investor worry. Stocks rose 3.6 percent on Friday as investors cheered his possible departure as a milestone toward easing tension. THE NEXT PRESIDENT * Who becomes next president could depend on the powers the position retains. Musharraf has authority to dismiss parliament and make top military and judicial appointments. Coalition partners vow to strip the presidency of those powers and make it a largely ceremonial post. However, analysts say Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, might want the job, in which case he will want to keep the powers. Zardari has also suggested the next president might be a woman. Newspapers have speculated an ethnic Pashtun leader, Asfandayr Wali Khan, whose liberal party is part of the coalition, might get the job. The president is elected by the four provincial assemblies and the national parliament.

[DomainK]

I wonder what his life will be after this. A constant fear of assassination. A life looking over his shoulders. Awaiting the inevitable?

[Desi Cartman]

I wonder what his life will be after this. A constant fear of assassination. A life looking over his shoulders. Awaiting the inevitable?

Its weird that he was considered a savior few years ago and now..........

[sandtest]

He should thank Allah that his life is still safe. Knowing Islamic Republic of Paki-satans history, nooone would have been susrprised if he was hanged or sent to his beloved 72 through some suicide martyrdom or fallen pray to some road accident. Starting from first prime minister of Pakis Liaqat Ali Khan, till Radical islamist military rulers Zia Ul Haq and rival Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto all were killed or hanged. hardly any top Paki leader can expect to compete his natural life living in pakisatan. Musharraf too if want to save his life, he have to leav "land of pure" permanently. Benazir did not heed his call and came back Pakistan ending her exile, made bold statemnets and was immediately despatched to promised heaven. Nawaz is surviving coz he is a PakJabi (Paki version ofPunjabi). Paki islamic punjabi duggas have a very strong hold on army and sympathy for Nawaz draws from there. If tomorrow he gets in the way of Kayani the army chief (another PakJabi) then things will be interesting for him. Ditto for Zardari India remains very catious at present.. These Pakis will try anything to get in war with India at the moment as they are in desperate to dicert world attention.

[Guest dada_rocks]

That's pakistan for you he will live in exile there is no safe place for him in Pkistan.. By contrast look at India even after the great constitiounalist Indira GAndhi's emergency experiment when Morarsji Desai returned to power although Sonia Mata ( whose heart pains for india) along with her husband Rajeev Gandhi did a vanishing act to delhi in fear.. Indira Gandhi went nowhere and yet there no vendetta politics..

[umpire]

I think Musharraf was good guy for Pakistan, He had great intention to improve Pakistan's standing at world stage.

[Guest dada_rocks]

HE was basically pimping pakistan for some american doles. anyone cud disappear any moment and find herself himself in Guantanamo BAy..