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| August 18, 2008 | Monday | Sha'aban 15, 1429 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (06:00 GMT)
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President Pervez Musharraf resigns ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation from the office of President of Pakistan on Monday, August 18. He said he was sending his resignation to the Speaker of the National Assembly. He asked his well-wishers to accept his decision in the interests of Pakistan. He said his decision was on the slogan of Pakistan first and he wanted the country to prosper. (Updated @ 14:32 PST)  Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (AFP) -Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in the face of looming impeachment charges, ending a turbulent nine years in power. “After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign,” a grim-faced Musharraf, wearing a sober suit and tie, said in a televised address to the nation. “I leave my future in the hands of the people.” Musharraf said he would hand his resignation to the speaker of the national assembly (lower house of parliament) later on Monday. He made the shock announcement after denying that any of the impeachment charges against him could stand and launching into a lengthy defence of his time in power.“Not a single charge in the impeachment can stand against me,” Musharraf said. “No charge can be proved against me because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan.” He said that there was now law and order in the country, that human rights and democracy had been improved and that Pakistan was now an crucial country internationally. “On the map of the world, Pakistan is now an important country, by the grace of Allah,” he said. Musharraf's popularity slumped last year amid his attempts to oust the country's chief justice and then during a wave of Taliban suicide bombings that killed more than 1,000 people, including former premier Benazir Bhutto. He imposed a state of emergency in November last year to force his re-election to another five-year term through the Supreme Court, but his political allies were trounced at the February polls.The coalition of parties which won the February election, led by Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, finally overcame months of divisions and agreed to impeach Musharraf on August 7. It piled on the pressure with no-confidence votes in Pakistan's four provincial assemblies last week. Then on Sunday it said it had drawn up impeachment charges and would lodge them in parliament this week. The charges reportedly included violation of the constitution and gross misconduct. Officials say that Musharraf's aides have been in talks with the coalition, brokered by Saudi Arabia, the United States and Britain, to allow him to quit in return for indemnity. Musharraf's spokesman had repeatedly denied in recent days that he was about to quit, and it was not immediately clear what would happen next. But a lack of apparent support from Pakistan's army, which he left in November, apparently made other options -- including dissolving parliament or even declaring another state of emergency -- impossible. Speculation over Musharraf's fate intensified overnight when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that granting asylum to Musharraf was not currently under consideration by the United States. “That's not an issue on the table, and I just want to keep our focus on what we must do with the democratic government of Pakistan,” Rice said. Western allies want Pakistan to resolve the crisis over Musharraf so it can deal with the fight against Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, where nearly 500 people have died in the past week.The government is also struggling to deal with a severe economic crunch. (Posted @ 14:56 PST) Musharraf leaves President House, Soomro caretaker President ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (AFP): President Musharraf left President House aftera guard of honour while Chairman Senate Mohammadmian Soomro was sworn in as caretaker president. President Musharraf who resigned on Monday afternoon received a final guard of honour from troops at the presidency. A brass band played the national anthem on Monday evening in President House in Islamabad. He left the President House after the guard of honour. The president said he would give his formal resignation to the speaker of parliament later Monday. Senate chairman Mohammedmian Soomro was administered oath of office as caretaker President by Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar. Mr Soomro will act as as caretaker president until an election, which is expected in the next few weeks. (Posted @ 19:26 PST) Musharraf not to go in exile: aides ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (AFP): President Pervez Musharraf who resigned as President of Pakistan would not leave the country. Several close aides said Musharraf was not set to go into exile as several of Pakistan's former leaders have done. “He is not going anywhere,” one aide said. Musharraf's resignation was to be formally handed in to parliament later in the day. The leaders of the ruling coalition, Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, later met in Islamabad. Television footage showed them smiling broadly and shaking hands but they made no immediate comment. Bhutto's son Bilawal said Musharraf’s successor would be from her party but there was no immediate indication about any candidates. Cheering crowds poured into the streets after President Musharraf announced his resignation in an address telecast on television. However, there was little immediate reaction from outside the country with the exception of Afghanistan. “We hope that the resignation of President Musharraf... leads to a strengthening of the civilian government and democracy in Pakistan,” said foreign ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen in Afghanistan. (Posted @ 17:15 PST) Pakistanis jubilant over Musharraf's resignation MULTAN, Aug 18 (Reuters/AFP): Pakistanis danced in the streets on Monday after President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation, with many ordinary people hoping his departure would bring improvement to their lives. Lawyers, who have spearheaded an anti-Musharraf campaign since he tried to sack the chief justice last year, stormed out of courts in Multan on hearing of Musharraf's resignation, shouting “Down with the American stooge.” Jaffar Shah, a retired soldier in Peshawar, said: “The root cause of all problems has gone. I wish I could fire shots to show my joy but unfortunately I can't do that.” People in Karachi handed out sweets and danced in celebration. “Thank God he's resigned. The country will do much better now. It's a victory for the people,” said a businessman. In Lahore, the sound of drums and cheers of joy echoed throughout this ancient walled city. Elsewhere, people fired Kalashnikovs in the air to celebrate. Some Pakistanis harboured what seem unrealistic expectations for the post-Musharraf outlook: “Inflation is surely going to go down now,” said one shopkeeper. Others were less optimistic as despite Musharraf's unpopularity, many Pakistanis are suspicious of the civilian politicians -- a number of whom have returned to power -- were dogged by accusations of corruption and mismanagement when they ruled in the 1990s. Some said they feared that with Musharraf gone, the coalition would be beset by infighting between them. Other Pakistanis sounded a note of caution, saying that the nation would now likely see more political chaos. “I think we should see about the state of the country. The coalition have been saying Musharraf was a big obstacle. We will see what they do now,” Ahmed, a political analyst said. (Posted @ 17:56 PST) Musharraf's resignation Pakistan’s internal matter: Indian minister NEW DELHI, Aug 18 (APP): Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Monday President Pervez Musharraf’s resignation was Pakistan’s internal matter. Talking to media on the sidelines of a seminar on nuke deal in Berhampore in West Bengal, he referred to his recent Pakistan visit and said a process had been initiated to improve bilateral ties between both countries. “During my visit, I developed a personal relationship with Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Yusuf Raza Gilani, I have cordial discussions with all of them and it seems to me a positive approach could be made in improving relations,” media reports quoting him said. The BJP commenting on Musharraf's resignation said “it has no regrets that President Musharraf had to quit his post.” It hoped the new government would follow the path of peace and friendship,” senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told media. He also said BJP expects the Pakistan government to play a constructive role in South Asia. Communist Party of India (CPI) in a statement welcomed the resignation and expressed hope “democratic process will continue in that country and the development would not affect ties with India.” (Posted @ 21:36 PST) Bush to work with Pakistan CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug 18 (AFP): US President George W. Bush will keep working with Pakistan on counter-terrorism and other issues after President Pervez Musharraf's resignation, the White House said Monday. “President Bush is committed to a strong Pakistan that continues its efforts to strengthen democracy and fight terror,” US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement. Johndroe spoke after Musharraf announced he was standing down. “President Bush appreciates President Musharraf's efforts in the democratic transition of Pakistan as well as his commitment to fighting Al Qaeda and extremist groups,” said Johndroe. “President Bush looks forward to working with the Government of Pakistan on the economic, political and security challenges they face,” the spokesman said. (Posted @ 21:02 PST) US to continue working with Pakistan government: Rice WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (AFP): US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pledged Monday to continue working with the Pakistan government and thanked outgoing President Pervez Musharraf for aiding the fight against Al-Qaeda. “We will continue to work with the Pakistan government and political leaders and urge them to redouble their focus on Pakistan's future and its most urgent needs, including stemming the growth of extremism,” Rice said in a statement. She added that Musharraf, “has been a friend to the United States and one of the world's most committed partners in the war against terrorism and extremism.” (Posted @ 19:34 PST) Musharraf departure ends 'critical period' for Pakistan: British FM LONDON, Aug 18 (AFP): President Pervez Musharraf's resignation ends a “critical period in Pakistan's history,” British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Monday. Miliband called on the country's political leaders to “come together” to ensure the new government stays on course with economic policy and security. Next Pakistan leader must help pacify Afghanistan: Germany BERLIN: Germany expects Pakistan's next president to help bring stability in Afghanistan, fight terrorism and bolster democracy, a foreign ministry spokesman said Monday after Pervez Musharraf's resignation. France urges Pakistan to uphold constitution after Musharraf quits PARIS: France on Monday urged Pakistani political leaders to respect the constitution and work together to resolve the nation's problems after President Pervez Musharraf resigned. The foreign ministry said it had “taken note” of Musharraf's resignation and “called on all Pakistani political players to respect the constitutional framework and rule of law. (Posted @ 18:46 PST) Russia hopes for Pakistan stability: statement MOSCOW, Aug 18 (AFP/AP): Russia expressed hope Monday that the resignation of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf would not cause instability in the country. “Russia hopes the departure of President Pervez Musharraf will not have negative consequences for the internal political stability of this major Asian nation,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. The Russian statement came hours after Musharraf announced his resignation. Pakistanis should decide country's destiny: Bangladesh DHAKA: Bangladesh said on Monday it hoped the citizens of Pakistan would determine their country's future, after President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation. “The people of Pakistan should be in charge of their own political destiny and as the process evolves, we wish them well,” Bangladesh foreign minister Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a statement. Afghan gov't happy with Musharraf's resignation KABUL: An Afghan government spokesmen say they think the resignation of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will have a positive effect on Afghanistan. Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said Musharraf was an ally of the United States “in words only, not by actions.” Bashary said Musharraf was not good for Afghanistan, noting that Pakistan's military intelligence agency had been implicated in attacks in Afghanistan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmed Baheen said the Afghan government hoped Musharraf's resignation would strengthen democracy in Pakistan and Afghanistan. (Posted @ 18:25 PST) Chief Justice Dogar meets Pervez Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP): The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, met Pervez Musharraf in President House on Monday after the announcement of his resignation as President and remained with him for some time. According to a Supreme Court senior official, the meeting of the Chief Justice with the President was a farewell call on the outgoing President. (Posted @ 17:34 PST) Musharraf resignation avenges Bhutto's death: son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari KARACHI, Aug 18 (AFP): The son of slain former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto on Monday hailed the resignation of Pervez Musharraf, saying the next president would be from Bhutto's party. “After the martyrdom of my mother I said that democracy was the best revenge -- and today it was proved true,” said 19-year-old Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chairman of Pakistan People's Party. “Someone from the Pakistan People's Party would be the next president of Pakistan but I don't know who that would be,” he told a local television at Karachi airport after flying in from Dubai. (Posted @ 16:15 PST) Pakistan stocks up on Musharraf resignation KARACHI, Aug 18 (AFP): Stocks jumped 4.5 percent on Monday after President Pervez Musharraf announced that he was leaving office after nine years in power, dealers said. The benchmark Karachi Stock Exchange KSE-100 Index finished the day up 460.91 points to close at 10,719.62. “The market has gone upward now that the uncertainty regarding the country's political scenario is over with the resignation of Pervez Musharraf,”said analyst Azhar Ahmad Batla of WE Brokerage House. “The market could grow more and the rupee could get stronger against the dollar if the country sees good governance in future.” (Posted @ 16:15 PST) Implications of Musharraf's resignation ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (Reuters): The following are some of the political, economic and diplomatic implications of his expected 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 4 percent on Monday as investors cheered his departure as a milestone toward easing tension. THE NEXT PRESIDENT: * Who becomes next president could depend on the powers the position retains. Musharraf had 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 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. (Posted @ 15:28 PST) CHRONOLOGY-Months of turmoil for Musharraf Islamabad, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in the face of an impending impeachment motion by Pakistan's ruling coalition government. The former army chief and firm U.S. ally had seen his popularity slide over the past 18 months and had been isolated since his parliamentary allies lost a February general election. Here is a chronology of recent events that led to the downfall of Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in December 1999 and became president in 2001. March 9, 2007 - Musharraf suspends Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry over allegations of misconduct. Lawyers rally around the top judge and Musharraf's popularity plummets. July 10 - Musharraf orders troops to storm the Red Mosque in Islamabad to crush a Taliban-style movement there. At least 105 people are killed. Militant attacks and suicide bombings follow. July 20 - Supreme Court reinstates Chief Justice Chaudhry, dealing a blow to Musharraf's authority. July 27 - Musharraf meets former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Abu Dhabi for inconclusive talks on how to move the country towards a civilian-led democracy. Bhutto demands Musharraf step down as army chief. Sept 10 - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is arrested at Islamabad airport on his arrival from exile, despite the Supreme Court clearing his return. He is deported to Saudi Arabia. Oct 2 - Musharraf's government announces it will drop graft charges against Bhutto, clearing the way for her return. Oct 6 - Musharraf wins a presidential vote by legislators. Supreme Court holds off confirming legality of vote. Oct 19 - Suicide bomber tries to assassinate Bhutto in Karachi as she returns from eight years of exile. Nov 2 - Supreme Court meets to decide if Musharraf was eligible to stand for re-election while still army chief. Nov 3 - Musharraf imposes emergency rule, detaining thousands of opposition politicians and lawyers. Nov 11 - Musharraf says parliamentary elections will be held by Jan. 8. Nov 13 - Bhutto is placed under house arrest for a week in Lahore, hours before planned march against emergency rule. Bhutto says Musharraf must quit as president. Nov 15 - Musharraf appoints Senate chairman Mohammadmian Soomro to head a caretaker line-up to oversee elections. Nov 22 - Commonwealth suspends Pakistan. Nov 25 - Sharif returns from exile. Nov 28 - Tearful Musharraf hands command of the army to General Ashfaq Kayani. Nov 29 - Musharraf is sworn in as civilian leader. Dec 15 - Musharraf lifts state of emergency, restores constitution. Dec 27 - Bhutto is assassinated in a gun and bomb attack. Jan 2 - Election delayed from Jan 8 to Feb 18 because of disturbances after Bhutto's assassination. Feb 18 - Resounding election victory for parties led by Bhutto's widower Asif Ali Zardari (Pakistan People's Party) and Sharif (Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Analysts say Musharraf may be driven out. March 9 - Sharif says he will join Zardari to form a coalition hostile to Musharraf. Aug 7 - Ruling coalition says it will launch proceedings to impeach Musharraf. Aug 16 - Pakistan's ruling coalition prepares impeachment charges against Musharraf focusing on violation of the constitution and misconduct. Aug 18 - Musharraf announces resignation. (Posted @ 15:05 PST) Musharraf: steely leader in a difficult job ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (AFP): During nine turbulent years as Pakistan's leader, Pervez Musharraf insisted time and again that he was the only person who could save Pakistan. And when the 64-year-old former commando finally gave up and resigned as president on Monday in the face of impeachment proceedings by the governing coalition, he maintained that line. “Sometimes I think I should do something to steer out the country out of crisis. But also I think that I should not do anything which should prolong the uncertainty,” he said in a televised address. When then-army chief General Musharraf ousted elected prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in 1999, many Pakistanis handed out sweets at the end of a corrupt and economically disastrous administration. A whisky-tippling moderate fond of dogs, Musharraf won praise for trying to tackle Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants and presided over a period of record growth. He also showed a steely nerve in what has been dubbed the world's most dangerous job -- one in which he has escaped at least three assassination attempts by Al-Qaeda. Musharraf was born in Old Delhi on August 11, 1943. His family moved to the newly-created Pakistan shortly after independence in 1947. He said he had his first brush with death falling out of a mango tree as a boy. He joined the Pakistan Military Academy at age 18 and became a commando in 1966, but he admitted “my bluntness and indiscipline landed me in many a serious trouble” until his marriage in 1968. He now has a son and a daughter. On October 7, 1998, then-prime minister Sharif appointed him chief of staff. A year later amid political tensions, on October 12, 1999, Sharif tried to sack Musharraf when the general was on an airliner returning from Sri Lanka a year later, triggering what Musharraf calls his “counter-coup.”The premier ordered the jet not to land in Pakistan, but Musharraf's fellow generals arrested Sharif and took over Karachi airport, where the plane landed with only seven minutes of fuel left. With no experience in civilian leadership, Musharraf was forced to rely on opportunist political allies and got a boost from US support after the September 11 attacks. He won a five-year term as president in an April 2002 referendum. In 2004, he reneged on a subsequent promise to quit as army chief. He faced no serious challenges until he tried to sack the country's chief justice in March 2007, a move designed to remove a key hurdle to his legal manoeuvres to stay in the top spot. Instead it sparked nationwide protests and months of turmoil that led to the imposition of a state of emergency in November 2007. Under international pressure, he quit as chief of the powerful army a few weeks later. After the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December, the national mood turned even further against him and the crushing losses suffered by his allies in parliament left him increasingly isolated. Having resigned, Musharraf's fate remains uncertain. His aides were lobbying for him to remain in Pakistan and live at his half-built farmhouse outside Islamabad -- but the ruling coalition appears unlikely to agree. (Posted @ 15:42 PST) Pakistan Cricket Board chairman resigns RAWALPINDI, Aug 18 (AP): Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf stepped down Monday after Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation. As president, Musharraf was also patron of the cricket board and appointed Ashraf chairman in 2006. The PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told The Associated Press that Ashraf had sent in his resignation. Ashraf flew back to Pakistan on Monday after spending nearly three weeks in the United States. Pakistan is scheduled to host the Champions Trophy next month, which also involves defending champion Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and West Indies. (Posted @ 17:22 PST) Brief summary of President Pervez Musharraf's speech delivered in Urdu language (Updated @ 14:00 PST) 
ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: President Pervez Musharraf began his address to the nation at 13.13 PST at the President’s House, saying “Today is a day of an important decision for me.” The President said the "nation is aware of the crisis the country is going through". He said ‘when I assumed charge nine years ago the country was about to be branded a failed and a terrorist state. He said he assumed charge with the aim of rescuing the country. In the last nine years I have tried my best to serve the country to the best of my ability whether it was during confrontation with India, 9/11 and its aftermath or the devastating earthquake.’
"In handling the problems the sole aim was the well-being of the people and the safety and security of Pakistan." Defending himself, the President said, "I would like to put some facts before the nation, especially the economy. The economy was doing well, in fact very well before December 2007. GDP growth was 7 percent. Revenue collection had reached $1 trillion. The KSE index was around 15,000 points. All these indicators are of eight months ago. Pakistans economy was poised to take off. How did the economic problem start all of a sudden? Why has the stock exchange lost 5,000 points. Why has the rupee lost almost 30 percent of its value? Surely, the present economic crisis is owing to rising oil prices and similar other developments on a global basis. But it is wholly incorrect to put blame on these global factors alone. It is our own failures during the last 8 months. We were producing 14,000 MW in June 2007 but are now producing just about 10,000 MW. Let us now look forward to find solutions to take the country out of the woods. During the past nine years, we addressed all sectors and accelerated development in the country. In these 9 years , we constructed several roads and bypasses and worked on several other developmental projects. You can see for yourself how much we have done including all the dams that have been constructed (such as Mirani Dam). Several canals are also being constructed. These developments will help irrigate 3 million acre fields in the country. There was massive industrialisation during the last nine years. There was a lot done for higher education. Nine universities from different foreign countries agreed to set up campuses in the country. In the health sector primary and secondary healthcare was given priority. Safe drinking water was a sector that was addressed on priority and 6000 water purification plants set up. Women were given political empowerment and you see a lot more women in the assemblies. Honour killing was discouraged and Hudood Ordinance laws were revamped. The minorities were given opportunities and culture and heritage was given due importance. We incorporated the essence of democracy into the system through a highly progressive Local Bodies system. Anyone harming it will harm Pakistan. We held two successful general elections, We introduced Pakistans true image all over the world which proves the success of our policies. I’m proud of all the achievements. If you look at the donor’s conference, we were given 6.5 billion dollars in donations when we needed 5 billion. From the beginning, I wanted to create a reconciliatory atmosphere in Pakistans politics on a personal and institutional level. I talked about the 3-phase transition to democracy in Pakistan. The third phase was achieved last year when I doffed my uniform and held free and fair elections in Pakistan. After the elections, people had hopes from their leaders in the govt. Pakistanis have been looking forward prosperity and stability in the political atmosphere. It is unfortunate my appeals to strive for reconciliation and a resolution of economic issues facing the people went unheeded. Some sections of the political forces chose confrontation rather than reconciliation. The President’s office was accused of conspiring against the new democratic setup. You should remember it was I who held free and fair elections. Look at the PM’s election (and) the coalition setup in Sindh. The opposition cooperated with the government in getting the budget passed. I have publicly announced my support to the government, Unfortunately the coalition government thinks I am a problem and wants to impeach me. Impeachment and charge-sheet is the right of the Parliament. But I am confident that no charge can be proved against me. All my major decisions were with the consent of all concerned and all stake-holders, including bureaucracy, civil society, etc. I am not at all worried about the Charge-Sheet because nothing can be proved. But the larger issue is what is it going to cost Pakistan – its economy, political and social order, honour and prestige of the highest office of the state. Such are the considerations upper-most in my mind. Whether I’m impeached or not, the country’s stability will be compromised. The office of the president will also be insulted. Pakistan is my love; now and always, my life is for Pakistan. I have defended and will continue to defend Pakistan. I want to be able to bring Pakistan out of the current crisis so I think perhaps I should do something. But I also do not want to do something that may generate uncertainty in the country. I also want to save the Parliament from horse-trading. Even if the impeachment is defeated, the relations between the President’s office and the coalition govt. will not heal. Institutions will be endangered. Therefore, with this situation in view and having consulted my legal and political advisors, I have decided to resign from my post. I have decided to resign from the office of President and my resignation will be handed over to the Speaker of the National Assembly. I want the people to be the judges and let them decide my fate.
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