Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Resigns

[Jacaylbaro]

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation Monday, ending an eight-year tenure that opponents said was hampering the country's labored return to democracy.

 

An emotional Musharraf said he wanted to spare the nation from a perilous impeachment battle and that he was satisfied that all he had done "was for the people and for the country."

 

"I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes," Musharraf said in a televised address, much of which was devoted to defending his record and refuting criticisms.

 

Musharraf said he will turn in his resignation to the National Assembly speaker on Monday but it was not immediately clear whether it would become effective the same day. The chairman of Pakistan's Senate, Mohammedmian Soomro, will take over as acting president when Musharraf steps down, Law Minister Farooq Naek said.

 

It also was not clear whether Musharraf, a stalwart U.S. ally, would stay in Pakistan.

 

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said leaders of the ruling coalition would discuss later Monday whether to prosecute Musharraf in court on charges that that were being planned for the impeachment process.

 

Musharraf's political foes celebrated.

 

 

"It is a victory of democratic forces," Information Minister Sherry Rehman said. "Today the shadow of dictatorship, that has prevailed for long over this country, that chapter has been closed."

 

Musharraf dominated Pakistan for years after seizing power in a 1999 military coup, making the country a key strategic ally of the U.S. by supporting the war on terror. But his popularity at home sank over the years.

 

Many Pakistanis blame the rising militant violence in their country on Musharraf's alliance with the U.S. His reputation suffered blows in 2007 when he ousted dozens of judges and imposed emergency rule. His rivals won February parliamentary elections and have since sought his ouster, announcing impeachment plans earlier this month.

 

Musharraf, who has been largely sidelined since his rivals came to power, had resisted the mounting calls to quit, even after the coalition finalized impeachment charges against him and threatened to send a motion to Parliament later this week.

 

The charges were expected to include violating the constitution and gross misconduct, likely in connection with the ouster of the judges and the declaration of emergency rule.

 

In announcing he would quit after all, Musharraf mentioned the many problems facing Pakistan, including its sinking economy. He said his opponents were wrong to blame him for the mounting difficulties. "I pray the government stops this down-sliding and take the country out of this crisis," he said.

 

Allies and rivals of the president said talks had been under way to get him to step down by possibly granting him legal immunity from future prosecution. The second biggest party in the government has said he should be tried for treason, which carries a maximum punishment of death.

 

Who will ultimately succeed Musharraf is an open question. There has been speculation that both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, the leaders of the two main parties are interested in the role.

 

But the ruling coalition has sought to strip the presidency of many of its powers. Sharif spokesman Saiqul Farooq recently dismissed the idea that his boss wants the job because the presidency would likely be reduced to a ceremonial position.

 

Qureshi would not say whether Musharraf might be granted a "safe exit" _ speculation has focused on whether he might go into exile in Saudi Arabia or Turkey _ or dragged through the courts.

 

"That is a decision that has to be taken by the democratic leadership," Qureshi, who is from the main ruling Pakistan People's Party, told Dawn News television. The leaders would assess the speech and the political situation, he said.

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With Musharraf's utility fading, Western concerns appeared less with his ultimate fate than about how the clamor was affecting the halting efforts of the new civilian government against terrorism and the gathering economic woes.

 

A U.S. Embassy spokesman declined to comment after Musharraf's speech, referring calls to Washington. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the Pakistani president's future was an internal issue.

 

While Musharraf was a "good ally" who "kept his word" on ending military rule when he stepped down as army chief last year, whether he should resign "is a matter for Pakistan to determine," she said.

[Jacaylbaro]

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[nuune]

Good for him kolleeyba galabta ayaa la sack gareen lahaa, wuu iska gaarey before the impeachement.

 

Thanks to da Saudis though, ayagaa runta u sheegay oo yiri war ka tag meesha abooryahow.

 

 

He saved himeself, galabtaa xabbis lagu taagi lahaa, even now he is trying way to get out of Pakistan.

 

And Condoleeze Rice said she is not sure if she can grant him asylum in the US.

 

 

Wuxuu is waalaba meel cidluu soo istaagey his biggest ally cant provide him safe heaven.

[unknown1]

let busharraf die.

[Jacaylbaro]

 

Wuxuu is waalaba meel cidluu soo istaagey his biggest ally cant provide him safe heaven

That is the problem with the **********s ,,,,,, now he will end up somewhere in the middle of nowhere ...

 

I'm wondering who is the next dameer ??

[N.O.R.F]

Illahayow ka Somalia'na sidaa ha ku baxo ayaan dhow. Amin!

[Jacaylbaro]

Hadaanuu dhiman sidaa iyo si ka daran buu ku baxayaa believe me ...........

[N.O.R.F]

^^waar Amiin uun dhe,,,

[Jacaylbaro]

looool ,,

 

Insha Allah ,,,,,,,

[NGONGE]

The best thing for the Pakistanis would be if they just let him go and forget about the treason nonsense. But Pakistan being what it is I really doubt that they would. They'll chase him and try to get the severest punishment possible then they'll get too big for their own shoes and the circle of nonsense will carry on.

[LayZie G.]

Sharif waa xaarlow, what more does he want? Musharraf said he is leaving, so why not let him go?

 

No need to humiliate the president, after all he did step down in the name of the people, regardless of past mistakes. He should be applauded for putting the interest of the people before his, atleast once during his tenure

 

Musharif is alot of things but today no one can dare accuse him or call him names, after all it takes real guts to come out and say what he said infront of his people and leave with his head held high.

 

About time Adeero realizes that too. Sooner or later Adeero is going to get his @dukey. He might as well come out now and tell us that he will not be seeking re-election if he is not willing to step down now and own upto his failures.

 

Sharif and his muslim league party are pathetic and so is the people's party co-chaired by a young boy and his daddy.

 

Yesterday shouldn't have been a day of celebration for pakistan, this is just the start of something ugly. It is the beginning of a power struggle between two power hungry odayaal in pakistan.

 

 

Its like re-living barre era, dictator leaves and the little people won't know how to get along or communicate after they overthrow their leader. Pathetic, nacalaa paki's la uraan.

 

On to terrorism, hada yaa al qaeda celinaayo. They will own pakistan, and there is no one that will stand their way, not unless they are willing to look over their shoulder and live in fear. A hidden bomb under their vehicle or a sniper taking aim as they did for benazir. Either way you look at it, wax hada pakistan kusoo kordhay majirto.

[sunaari]

Good luck for him... I am hoping peace and good goverance for Pakistan people.

[rudy-Diiriye]

now this homie was doing ok for while till he hooked up with bush..namean...then he headed south to stupidland..!

 

yup...we should send tfg and sillyland leaders there 2...anybody who dances with bush belongs there.