Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation

TheLancinator · 08-18-2008, 12:16 PM

Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation
By Kamran Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Nuclear-armed Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government.

The former army chief and firm U.S. ally has seen his popularity slide over the past 18 months and has been isolated since his allies lost a February election.

"After consultations with legal advisers and close political supporters and on their advice, I'm taking the decision of resigning," Musharraf said a televised address.

"My resignation will go to the speaker of the National Assembly today."

The coalition government, led by the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said on August 8 it planned to impeach Musharraf.

The powerful army, which has ruled for more than half the country's 61-year history, has publicly kept out of the controversy over its old boss.

No unrest was expected as a result of the increasingly unpopular leader's resignation.

Investors in Pakistan's financial markets -- while appreciating Musharraf's investor-friendly rule which, until this year, saw strong growth and surging stocks -- were expected to welcome his resignation as heralding an end to political uncertainty.

Pakistani stocks rose 4 percent on the announcement.

Prolonged jockeying and uncertainty over Musharraf's position has hurt Pakistan's financial markets and raised concern in Washington and among other allies it is distracting from efforts to control violent militants in the nuclear-armed nation.

CHARGES

The ruling coalition had prepared impeachment charges against Musharraf focusing on violation of the constitution and misconduct.

Coalition officials had hoped Musharraf would quit to avoid impeachment while some allies have said he should at least answer charges brought against him before stepping down.

Officials from Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States and Britain, have been involved in negotiations aimed at ending the confrontation between Musharraf and the government.

The United States, which has relied on Musharraf for Pakistani cooperation in its campaign against terrorism, had said the question of Musharraf's future was for Pakistanis to decide.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday that Musharraf has been a "good ally," but she declined to say whether he would receive U.S. asylum if he stepped down.

"This is an issue that is not on the table," Rice said in an interview with Fox News.

Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup but has been isolated since his allies lost a February election.

All four provincial assemblies passed resolutions in recent days pressing him to resign and several old allies have joined the campaign against him.

(With additional reporting from Koh Gui Qing in Karachi; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Jerry Norton)

**Nemowork** · 08-18-2008, 12:38 PM

Had to happen once he started kicking out the judges, lets see how things go with the new guys who seem to be weaker and a lot more corrupt but wont antagonise the population as much.

lost in melb. · 08-18-2008, 12:58 PM

I think he did a better job than many would have and he appears to not be of the Mugabe ilk - only time will tell if he created secure foundations for future Pakistan.

**Meursault** · 08-18-2008, 01:38 PM

I won't say he was a good leader so I'm not sad to see him step down, but it has me worried who will replace them and if maybe they're much worse.

**Harpoon** · 08-18-2008, 02:20 PM

protect the nukes...

**Meursault** · 08-18-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

protect the nukes...

that's got to be the top priority. Next in line: Stop the pakistani military intelligence service from covertly supporting the Taliban.

**Nemowork** · 08-18-2008, 03:39 PM

Covertly?

According to the CIA the Taliban has completely restructured its leadership in Pakistan, their supply lines are back up to strength and theyre learning IED techniques from the guys who got slung out of Iraq.

So much for 7 Billion dollars invested!

lost in melb. · 08-18-2008, 06:33 PM

Apparently the nukes are dismantled in many bits around the country. We might be safe as long as the nutters don't control the lot...

ac130 · 08-19-2008, 08:18 PM

whatever happens, it's a scarey situation that could end up affecting a majority of planet earth.

08-18-2008, 12:16 PM	#1
TheLancinator I love Post Icons Join Date: Jul 2006 Tournaments Won: 2 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 119,462 Thanks: 83 Thanked 875 Times in 613 Posts	Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation By Kamran Haider ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Nuclear-armed Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government. The former army chief and firm U.S. ally has seen his popularity slide over the past 18 months and has been isolated since his allies lost a February election. "After consultations with legal advisers and close political supporters and on their advice, I'm taking the decision of resigning," Musharraf said a televised address. "My resignation will go to the speaker of the National Assembly today." The coalition government, led by the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said on August 8 it planned to impeach Musharraf. The powerful army, which has ruled for more than half the country's 61-year history, has publicly kept out of the controversy over its old boss. No unrest was expected as a result of the increasingly unpopular leader's resignation. Investors in Pakistan's financial markets -- while appreciating Musharraf's investor-friendly rule which, until this year, saw strong growth and surging stocks -- were expected to welcome his resignation as heralding an end to political uncertainty. Pakistani stocks rose 4 percent on the announcement. Prolonged jockeying and uncertainty over Musharraf's position has hurt Pakistan's financial markets and raised concern in Washington and among other allies it is distracting from efforts to control violent militants in the nuclear-armed nation. CHARGES The ruling coalition had prepared impeachment charges against Musharraf focusing on violation of the constitution and misconduct. Coalition officials had hoped Musharraf would quit to avoid impeachment while some allies have said he should at least answer charges brought against him before stepping down. Officials from Saudi Arabia, as well as the United States and Britain, have been involved in negotiations aimed at ending the confrontation between Musharraf and the government. The United States, which has relied on Musharraf for Pakistani cooperation in its campaign against terrorism, had said the question of Musharraf's future was for Pakistanis to decide. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday that Musharraf has been a "good ally," but she declined to say whether he would receive U.S. asylum if he stepped down. "This is an issue that is not on the table," Rice said in an interview with Fox News. Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup but has been isolated since his allies lost a February election. All four provincial assemblies passed resolutions in recent days pressing him to resign and several old allies have joined the campaign against him. (With additional reporting from Koh Gui Qing in Karachi; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Jerry Norton) __________________

08-18-2008, 12:38 PM	#2
Nemowork Klompendance? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mobilis in Mobilii Posts: 25,341 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	Had to happen once he started kicking out the judges, lets see how things go with the new guys who seem to be weaker and a lot more corrupt but wont antagonise the population as much. __________________ “A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.” Moliere "You do the unseemly behavior, I'll handle the moderation" - Nemo

08-18-2008, 12:58 PM	#3
lost in melb. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Way Down Under Posts: 2,772 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I think he did a better job than many would have and he appears to not be of the Mugabe ilk - only time will tell if he created secure foundations for future Pakistan. __________________

08-18-2008, 01:38 PM	#4
Meursault Le Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Old Europe Posts: 38,948 Thanks: 141 Thanked 90 Times in 36 Posts	I won't say he was a good leader so I'm not sad to see him step down, but it has me worried who will replace them and if maybe they're much worse. __________________ sick sig courtesy of teabelly!

08-18-2008, 02:20 PM	#5
Harpoon Sailing the seas of Cheese Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Down by the river Posts: 36,485 Thanks: 46 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	protect the nukes... __________________ .

08-18-2008, 03:39 PM	#7
Nemowork Klompendance? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mobilis in Mobilii Posts: 25,341 Thanks: 6 Thanked 16 Times in 7 Posts	Covertly? According to the CIA the Taliban has completely restructured its leadership in Pakistan, their supply lines are back up to strength and theyre learning IED techniques from the guys who got slung out of Iraq. So much for 7 Billion dollars invested! __________________ “A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.” Moliere "You do the unseemly behavior, I'll handle the moderation" - Nemo

08-18-2008, 06:33 PM	#8
lost in melb. Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Way Down Under Posts: 2,772 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Apparently the nukes are dismantled in many bits around the country. We might be safe as long as the nutters don't control the lot... __________________

08-19-2008, 08:18 PM	#9
ac130 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 439 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	whatever happens, it's a scarey situation that could end up affecting a majority of planet earth. __________________

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