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Former president Pervez Musharraf has resigned as the chairman of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), according to the new party chairman, Dr Mohammad Amjad.
Dr Amjad told DawnNewsTV that Musharraf had tendered his resignation to the party on June 18 due to the Peshawar High Court's 2013 verdict which had disqualified him from politics for life.
That verdict has been challenged on Musharraf's behalf in the Supreme Court, which had issued a directive earlier this month allowing him to file his nomination papers only if he returned and was present in the court hearing on June 13 in Lahore, cautioning that the fate of the papers would be subject to the final decision in the present case.
Read more: SC gives Musharraf time until tomorrow, wonders why the 'commando' is 'so afraid'
Although Musharraf's representatives had submitted his nomination papers for Chitral's NA-1 seat, the former military ruler failed to return to Pakistan after which the SC withdrew its directive allowing nomination papers to be filed.
Musharraf explained that he had put off his return after the SC order forced him to change his mind.
Speaking to journalists via video link, the former president said the apex court order "barring the authorities from arresting me till my appearance before the august court has forced me to rethink my plans about return".
"There will be no benefit of my return to the country if I am arrested just after my appearance before the court," he said.
"The entire world knows that I am not a coward, but now I will wait for an appropriate time to return," he claimed.
Subsequently, Musharraf resigned from APML chairmanship, and also sent his resignation to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
After he stepped down, the party's Central Executive Committee elected Dr Amjad as their new leader, with Mehreen Malik Adam set to serve as secretary general.
Comments (78) Closed
Man of Ethics.
Not like NS or FS who hand to be forced out.
Good, now enjoy your retirement period
atleast he backed out when he felt his time was up. normally people of his stature are forced out of their positions
@GHALIBJEEE is it ? 2103 he got disbarred. and 2018 , 5 years later he accepts the verdict while still hiding in Dubai. How much more can a coward act like a coward to finally call him a coward?
"Coward" does not even begin to describe him.
With resignation, it's ends Pervaz Musharraf's political career for ever. The recent interview highlighted his state of mind and deteriorating health!
It was inevitable. His name and his party will perish.
Finally he made the right decision.
I hope he stops this desire to return to politics and enjoys his retired life.
Coward is the only appropriate word!
He will be remembered as the best he gave to Pakistan
He is not a soldier anymore, come to Pakistan and face what you have done
Smart Move. Useless to stake your reputation against liars and cheaters.
Great decision sir. You have served the country honorably in all positions. Your decision not to return seems a wise one. And your resignation from party chairmanship is the right one too. I salute you and wish you peace and prosperity.
Unfortunate. Patriots are being denied justice whereas plunderers of wealth & those who comprise our national security are roaming freely.
How many members does this party have?
How many members n workers he has in his Party??
Its about high time the Pakistani Govt stop its revenge tactics and let Musharraf come and spend the rest of his life in the Land. It is a shame to say that this revenge culture is embedded in the Pakistani culture. Let by gone be by gone its all water under the bridge. Its high time the ruling class start working for the betterment for the people, start by education.
Good decision. No one on earth can change the destiny of Pakistan. Pakistan will ever be ruled by corrupt people.
Well played.
The good patriotic people are kept out of politics while the crooked are allowed to be in.
We do not deserve brave men like you who has serverd the country well. We deserve Nawaz/Maryam Sharif and Zardari/Bhutto.
Sensible move .....he was only disgracing himself by trying to remain in the political spotlight.
"The entire world knows that I am not a coward, but now I will wait for an appropriate time to return," he claimed - is it just me or does this sound like a Trump brag/lie?
Good bye
Smart move.
It is a quote" Generals never die ,they just fade away". Dear Gen. Musharraf you have played your role and history will judge it. Now that you have made a decision to resign ,enjoy your retirement. pakistanis have moved on..
General Parvaiz Musharraf is a great and honest man. Nation misses your leadership Sir. Sir, look where we were under your leadership and where we stand now.
Good decision.This was the hourable way for him.
Politics is no gentlemen's profession in our country.
number one bluffmaster, he want to remain in limelight by giving provocative statements, he need to understand that he is an old weak person, just relex and enjoy the wealth you maased when ruled pakistan,
What other options does he has at this crucial juncture in time and history to save his skin, stay afloat and remain in the limelight?
Excellent move. Now PML-N and other mafias must be in a fix.
Enjoy your longterm holiday in Dubai, life is too short to worry about.
Pervaiz Musharraf has followed a really good democratic way by resigning and handing power to the next man. Had Nawaz Sharif stepped down then, his case would not have gone so far. Pervaiz Musharraf should one day come back and stand trial to clear his name.
Being myself a supporter of a political party other than yours, I must say that when you took over power in 1999 the country faced similar financial crisis due to the policies of the same party responsible for the current one. Back then you did manage not only to resolve the financial crisis but also created a favorable balance of payment for two years in a row, which never happened again. I will remember you for that Thanks PM
A sad day as Musharraf was the only politician who raised voice against Indian atrocities! He should make a come back.
Enable to clear himself of charges, he doesn't want to come. He can be termed brave only be comes back and fights cases against him. He will never have appropriate time for coming back, because charges are such that he will be arrested as soon as he lands on any airport of Pakistan.
He resigned so that he does not have to come to Pakistan. Moreover he is banned for any gov. Post.
This is correct move now start writing further books.
He is coward.. accept it!
Great visionary president. Thank you for your great leadership. Enjoy your retirement. Thank you for your service as a president of Pakistan and army chief.
Commando escapes.
Well done Musharraf. You are great.
How many seats his party had in the last Parliament, probably zero. So what is the big deal.
why did he bother to write his resignation. does his party matter at all?
good for him, wish you all the best. you have done the right thing, now enjoy your life. you have done great things for Pakistan.
Good that he resigned as he has no credibility left with majority of Pakistani public.
We as citizens must not get emotional and get carried away by designating any as national heroes. You know who are our heroes in armed forces? Those spoye, small rank soldiers who actually fights and lay their lives for the country but we seldom know their names. These big generals just order from behind their desks. In USA you read that lowest rank soldiers get awarded.
Not bad end but yes a Cowardice end of Political carrier of Gen. Mush.Things turned up against him just in talks and without any action.
General Pervez Musharraf had served the country for 40 years in war and peace with distinction. Now he can retire with dignity, as politics in our country is mean and dirty. He is greatly respected around the world, even in India. He could still serve the country as an elder statesman by his vast experience and wisdom. We wish him all the best.
A step in right direction. But history proved that Gen(rtd) Pervez Musharraf caught the real person 27 years back, and today SC is checking the same person for money laundering, and disqualified him for life. The General Sahab did more goods to nation & less bads. The USD remained affordable, the inflation under control, economic indicators were good. But today we are moving directionless, and no good governance. The old Governors are recruiting their relatives,friends, at key posts, the interim caretakers are cashing their opportunities, the courts are overloaded by petitions, SC lacks number of judges to dispose thousands of pending cases, some extra and swift steps are needed to tackle huge mess.
I always wished this man coming to politics from front door. He is more capable then all of current political elite.
After 5 years he resigned, well done commando!!
@Ahsan Gul "Good that he resigned as he has no credibility left with majority of Pakistani public." That is reserved for Nawaz Sharif, Zardari etc.
Bad end of a relatively much better person than many........
@BAXAR - no Shrief and Zardari are the worst that Pakistan has. Pakistan is still looking for a leader who will put country first. Tell me why would all these people have abode and properties overseas? Isn’t Pakistan good enough for them to stay and invest?
Always remember you. Your change the shape of Karachi, which always been ignore by every govt,
You were a Commando then why such a quick exit?
ultimately he proved himself what he is worth
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani He had no political career. Everybody knows his career, if ONLY he himself knew it! Usurpers have nothing to do with politics. A usurper’s best bid is to be thrown out by another usurper
Coward
The tragedy is that no one says the truth about him that he was and is responsible for selling Pakistan and its people to the U.S.A. That we and our coming generations will continue to pay the price for his committed follies and blunders is becoming evident with every passing day. As for his party, it was a liability on his pocket. He is least bothered by getting rid of the same.
Coward.
Best decision by great leader Pakistan doesn't deserve true partiot hard worker and honest man like musharaf we like thrives and family dominated king type politicians who looted us and then again rule on us and we happily elected them again and again
As history tells us repeatedly that in fact - dictators are COWARDS. Musharraf is no exception - he had already proved his "courage" when he RAN away instead of facing the trials.
@sameer There is a marked distinction between good judgment and being a coward. You make a move when the time is right. You don't foolishly walk into your adversaries trap.
@GHALIBJEEE What kind of ethics is that one is running from courts nd making mockery of law?
@simran :Uninformative, No wealth was amassed during his rule,Wealth was accumulated after his tenure ended and he left Pakistan through his qualities of being able to speak on the world stage,he is the only pakistani leader who has vast knowledge of Pakistan and can lecture on it.
Election commission of Pakistan was causing a hindrance,that is why Genaral Musharraf for now has resigned,not for life,he still has a role in his party for all the people who don't know the facts and follow his interviews every week.
@M. Siddique :boycotted the election,one should do some research,before posting a statement.
@Hera :uninformative resigned due to election commission of pakistan hindrance,interim government still has remnants of Pmln.
Regardless of elections he is better advised to come and prove the court that he is innocent.
Mr. Musharaf made the right decision, it is time for him to rest and enjoy his life. It is very sad to say that lots of people in Pakistan are thankless and bios, they forget the booming economy during Musharaf era , freedom of press with fifty new TV channels and women who were given the rights they never had before. I wish you best of luck Mr. Musharaf.
a brave man walk away with dignity
So who is left to run the organization? AFAIK he was the Chairman and the only member.
Have enough money now to relax, tried to gain power again but too much hassle.
@K Niaz, if Pervez Musharaf who fought wars with india, challenged and defeated Indian Army at Kargil is a coward then every Pakistani can be labelled a coward including yourself. By the way did you ever picked up a gun or tried to join Pakistan armed forces.???