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Pakistan's Musharraf quits
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor18.08.08
Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf finally stepped down today in a bid to stop the country from descending into chaos.
The former military chief, who seized power in a coup, ended his nine-year rule with an emotional speech that was broadcast live across the nation.
Mr Musharraf said that he was stepping down to avoid an impeachment battle and a prolonged power struggle which would harm Pakistan's interests.
He is facing charges including violation of the constitution and gross misconduct, but said he was confident they would not succeed.
His resignation throws open the question of Pakistan's status as a key ally in the US war on terror. Mr Musharraf, who took control in 1999, has supported the battle against the Taliban since the September 11 attacks on America. North-western Pakistan is a hive of well-organised and armed militants who frequently strike across the border in Afghanistan.
Referring to his possible impeachment, 65-year-old Mr Musharraf said: "Whether I win or lose, the nation will lose. The honour and dignity of the country will be affected and in my view, the honour of the office of president will also be affected."
Prolonged jockeying and uncertainty over his future had hurt financial markets in the nuclear-armed country of 165 million people, and raised concerns in Washington and elsewhere that it was distracting from efforts to tackle militancy.
But today Pakistan's stock market and currency rose strongly on hopes that the country was heading for political stability.
It was not clear who the next president would be. According to the constitution, the chairman of the Senate will become acting president until a new president is elected within 30 days for a five-year term.
There is speculation that both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, the leaders of the two main parties, are interested in the role but neither has openly said so. Traditionally the Pakistan president has been a figurehead with the prime minister holding most powers, although Mr Musharraf was more autocratic.
"It's a victory for all democratic forces and it's victory for Benazir Bhutto and all those who sacrificed their lives for democracy," said Farzana Raja of the Bhutto party. Mrs Bhutto was assassinated on 27 December while campaigning. The government said an al Qaeda-linked militant was responsible.
While as chief of army staff Mr Musharraf was courted and rewarded by London and Washington, some critics feared that he had failed to do enough to tackle the terrorists operating on the border with Afghanistan.
In recent years, his popularity at home has gradually deteriorated, reaching a low point in 2007 when he sacked dozens of independent judges and imposed emergency rule.
His political rivals swept to power in February and have sought to remove him from office, announcing plans for his impeachment.
While many Pakistanis despised Musharraf as a dictator, India enjoyed some of its best diplomatic relations in decades during his rule.
Political observers in New Delhi said that India's fear is that a weak civilian government in Islamabad will be unable to exert the same muscle that Mr Musharraf did over Pakistan's army and the powerful military spy agency, the ISI, which India suspects has a hand in most attacks on its soil.
People celebrated in the streets in several towns across Pakistan, some firing automatic weapons.
"It is very pleasing to know that Musharraf is no more," said Mohammed Saeed, a shopkeeper among a crowd in the northwestern city of Peshawar.
"He even tried to deceive the nation in his last address. He was boasting about economic progress when life for people like us has become a hell," he said. Pakistan's rate of inflation in July was 24.3 per cent.
Reader views (2)
I would to say in my 20yrs experience i never saw a president like musharraf we want him back
- Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Abu Dhabi UAE
It is great news that Musharraf has gone. He will not only remembered as a dictator of Pakistan but also 'Butcher of Kargil' He invaded our Kashmir in disguise of Freedom Fighters but was kicked out by valiant Indain Forces.
Any change in country's psyche would bring from Musharraf's leave is in doubt as the History has proved otherwise.
- Vinu, London, UK
