Source: The Guardian
Pakistan’s president, Pervez Musharraf, today announced his resignation after robustly defending his record.
Expectations that the former army chief and firm US ally would go had been mounting since the coalition government, led by the party of the assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said this month it planned to impeach him.
In a televised address to the nation, he defended his decision to impose emergency rule late last year, claiming his political opponents would have made matters worse for Pakistan.
He said Pakistan had always been his priority, and that he had imposed emergency rule in order to save the country from crisis.
Musharraf said his policies had improved the economy and women’s rights, and laid the ground for democracy.
“People have said my policies over the past nine years have been wrong - they were wrong,” said Musharraf. “My critics must not make things worse for Pakistan.
“Some elements acting for vested interests have made false allegations against me. Everything I have done will have long-term benefits for Pakistan.”
Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup but has been largely sidelined since his rivals won parliamentary elections in February, had for months resisted calls on him to resign.
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12 responses so far ↓
1 ALI RAZA // Aug 18, 2008 at 7:01 pm
He should not be given a safe passage.The level of harm he has rendered to our country he should be hanged till death.
He can be beheaded for Dr.Afia’s case only.
He handed over our sisters to AMERICAN Terroissts.
2 M.T.Qureshi // Aug 19, 2008 at 12:43 am
His trial regarding imposing martial law is necessary.
3 oal // Aug 19, 2008 at 4:56 am
Pakistan will miss Musharraf, it has no idea how much.
At the very least, critics will miss him as a scapegoat.
Possibly too, Pakistan may miss his temperance as well as his genius for holding so many wildly varying stances, from socialists to militants, together while producing in the wake of last year’s emergency measures an open election and a free press after all–and leaving the press (and, not the least, Internet access) open.
Pakistan may yet come to miss the international economy he fostered, and the disciplined military under his aesgis.
Musharraf has long been the target for all perceived as wrong in Pakistan by dissenting Pakistanis (and long free to do so), but should one ask for the list of candidates to stand in his place, what list will that now be, and who will command the lion’s share of voter support?
To whom will Pakistan entrust its future through election; and if through violence late in September, who then and when?
4 Muzaffar Mirza // Aug 19, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Daikhoo…. jane na pai?
5 nazir ali // Aug 20, 2008 at 2:13 pm
This is absurd that though Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Butto robbed our Pakistan and then still
our stupid people welcomed them with open arms…Though I agree only with Islamic Law
(Caliphate/Shariah Law) but in general comparing Musharaf to Banzair and Nawaz Sharif,
Musharaf is gold because he stayed in his country (Pakistan) and did not go to England and
made mansions/bungalows etc like the other two (above) did… and he did so much for
Pakistan i.e got rid off dangerous Mountain Valley drives in NWFP from Kohat to Darra and he
made motor ways etc etc though he did harm some of our Muslim brothers and sisters so he’s
good as well as bad but others such as Nawaz Sharif and Benazir and Altaf Hussain and A.A.
Zardari are nothing but looters… so we should be wise…
Any ways this was just a thought as our Nabi Karim Muhammad (saw) has ordered us not to go
against our leaders even if they are bad or there will be chaos…
However democracy is Shirk anyway because Allah (SWT) has said in Qur’an (translated
wordings are somewhat like) that any one practices (or believes) laws other than the Law of
Allah (SWT) is not a Muslim…so believing in democracy/Jamhooriath is kufr…may Allah (SWT)
guide us all…(A’ameen)
6 leo // Aug 20, 2008 at 3:54 pm
long live our president of hearts
Musharaf is gold
U R SO RIGHT
PPLS OF PAKISTAN WILL MISS U A LOT
WHEN THEY COME TO KNOW THE REALITY . LOOTERS WILL GO BACK TO LONDON WITH MORE MONEY
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN
7 Ali Raza Lone // Aug 20, 2008 at 4:11 pm
What Mushraf did to Pakistan is irrecoverable.He should be a made a mark for the generations to come so that no General could dare to take over our country in future.
He killed thousands in Lal Masjid,he handed over hundreds to USA for few million of dollars.
Nobody knows where are those 10 Billion dollars which came in Pakistan in the form of US aid.
He should be put to trial so that the real truth could come to the surface.
8 oal // Aug 20, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Al Jazeera reported approximately 60 dead–50 students, 8 military, possibly others–in the aftermath at Lal Masjid, not thousands, not even hundreds. Such deaths, however, may be treated as if they were thousands, so precious may be every person’s future and equally tragic so senseless and untimely a death as that born in conflict.
Reference: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2007/07/2008525134739873412.html
United States aid programs in Pakistan go back decades and would seem again substantial today. However, where funds go is always a good question, and we know some part of it goes back where it came from through the bureaucracies and consultant and research organizations that get their hands on it. Nonetheless, for a start, a number of reports available through USAID Pakistan may provide insight into the distribution of well-intended funding.
http://www.usaid.gov/pk/ecgrowth/index.htm
The commitment of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan, less discussed, perhaps less dramatic, may be more difficult to discern through first-glance web research, but it’s there and probably should be more soundly publicized. The EU’s publication, “Pakistan : Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013 (CSP)” may be obtained through this URL: http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/pakistan/csp/index.htm
9 leo // Aug 21, 2008 at 12:45 am
Subject: Salary and allowances of an MNA in Pakistan
Dear All,
It is just for your information please….
Salary & Govt. Concessions for a Member of NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (MNA)
Ø Monthly Salary : Rs. 120,000 to 200,000
Ø Expense for Constitution per month : Rs.100,000
Ø Office expenditure per month : Rs.140,000
Ø Traveling concession (Rs. 8 per km) : Rs.48,000 (For a visit to ISLAMABAD & return): 6000 km
Ø Daily BETA during Assembly meets : Rs.500
Ø Charge for 1st class (A/C) in train : Free (For any number of times all over PAKISTAN)
Ø Charge for Business Class in flights: Free for 40 trips / year (With wife or P.A.)
Ø Rent for Govt. hostel any where: Free
Ø Electricity costs at home : Free up to 50,000 units
Ø Local phone call charge : Free up to 1,70,000 calls
Ø TOTAL expense for a MNA per year : Rs. 32,000,000
Ø TOTAL expense for 5 years : Rs. 1,60,000,000
Ø For 534 MNA, the expense for 5 years : Rs. 85,440,000,000 (more than 800 corores)
And they are elected by THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN, through a democratic process of this world, not intruded into the assembly on their own or by any qualification.
This is how all our tax money is been swallowed and price hike on our regular commodities. ..
Think of the great democracy we have…….. …..
PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO ALL CITIZENS OF PAKISTAN…
10 oal // Aug 21, 2008 at 2:22 am
“And they are elected by THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN, through a democratic process of this world, not intruded into the assembly on their own or by any qualification.”
In a democracy, the voters set the standards and candidates respond, but if the voters fail to define what’s important to them, and that as easily includes conservative religious values, and fails to apply the same at the polls, then you get stuck with whoever showed up, got the majority vote, and stayed for the term.
Not one to condone larceny in government, far from it, but it may help to keep in mind two facts about this sort of government process: 1) fiscal reform may be made an issue–get specific about who’s ripping off who the most; 2) most government spending spends into the general economy, so long as the elected don’t sink their new wealth into investor gold or real estate. If they build nice homes, a lot of people get paid for doing the building, providing the furnishings, manufacturing the outfitting, and producing skilled–electrical, plumbing, mechanical–maintenance.
That work force in turn spends that money and it circulates again until investment or spending hits foreign goods (or goes up in smoke, down the drain, or off to destroy the countryside with war, which is the worst form of spending ever).
11 sanjna // Aug 21, 2008 at 12:28 pm
very sad suddar has resigned .know other leaders have a chance to destroy pakistan…cheater occupy on pk
12 sheena // Aug 21, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Thanks to Allah. It seems that heavy problem has gone from our heads. Musharaf was nothing but an illeterate middle-class corrupt who was kept by AMERICA to destroy Pakistan, now look he is freely doing bomb blasts after even he has resigned. he should be thrown out of Pakistan and his agencies should be destroyed immediately, otherwise this poison will affect our new government. Anyways I also dont like Mr. 10% as new president, I think FARZANA RAJA should be given the oath of our new president!
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