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"My resignation will go to the speaker of the National Assembly today," Musharraf affirmed.
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ISLAMABAD — Beleaguered Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced on Monday, August 18, his resignation in a televised address to the people of the South Asian Muslim nation.
"After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and poltical allies, with their advice I have decided to resign," said a grim-faced Musharraf.
"My resignation will go to the speaker of the National Assembly today," he affirmed.
Musharraf, who seized power in 1999 coup, was given two days by the ruling coalition to step down or face impeachment.
"I leave my future in the hands of people," said Musharraf.
The former army chief and key US ally has seen his popularity slide over the past 18 months and has been isolated since his allies were crushed in the February general election.
Once the most powerful man of Pakistan and a blue-eyed boy of the US, Musharraf was facing the toughest time in his life with the four-party ruling coalition promising to complete his impeachment process within days.
Musharraf has reportedly stepped down under a secret deal brokered by Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Maqrin Bin Abdul Aziz, who secretly arrived in Pakistan on Friday, August 15.
Some influential western powers and Arab states have also been involved in brokering a face-saving deal for Musharraf from behind the curtain.
Under the agreement, Musharraf will resign and move to his sprawling residence in the Chuk Shahzad area of Islamabad, from where he will flew abroad.
In return, the ruling coalition will drop all charges against him and grant indemnity to all his previous acts.
Musharraf will enjoy all perks and privileges of a former president, including a VIP security protocol.
As per the agreement, no case of financial corruption or criminal nature will be registered against Musharraf.
Celebrating
Thousands of people took to the streets across Pakistan to celebrate Musharraf’s resignation.
They danced on drumbeats, raised anti-Musharraf slogans and distribute sweets among the people.
Many gathered outside Bilawal House Karachi, the residence of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto, and the residence of two-time former premier Nawaz Sharif in Lahore and offered prayers.
People in tribal areas fired in the air as a traditional way to celebrate.
"This is the happiest day in nine years because the man who damaged all pillars of the state has ultimately gone," said Naeem Qureshi, a lawyer by profession.
"He was the prime source of instability in the country. His resignation has proved that the democratic forces were on the right track. He led the country to the brink of a total collapse. Thanks to Allah, he will not haunt us anymore."
Shakeel Memon, a writer, believes Pakistan has been put back on the track of democracy and progress.
"The dark night of dictatorship is over now, and it’s the real time for Pakistanis to celebrate because they have defeated a dictator for the first time in the history of Pakistan.
"He has not resigned in good faith. He has been forced to resign because there was no other option left for him," he said.
"I don’t think that he should be given a safe passage. He must be tried for the crimes he committed during the last nine years. If he is tried, it will be lesson for the future adventurers."
Jubilant Gulab Ali, who works in a café in a remote area of Karachi, share the same sentiments.
"Thanks God, he has gone. He had made life miserable," he said.
"He is the killer of thousands of innocent students of the Red Mosque and the people of tribal areas and Balochistan. He must not be allowed to leave the country. He should be put on trial so that no dictator can seize democracy."
Challenges
The resignation of Musharraf will lay pressures on the ruling coalition to deliver its election promises.
"Now, there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the ruling coalition to live up to the people’s expectations," said Qureshi, the lawyer.
"They have no excuse for dilly delaying in reinstatement of the deposed judges. It must be the first priority of the ruling coalition after Musharraf’s resignation to reinstate the sacked judges because an independent judiciary is essential for consolidation of the democracy."
Memon, the writer, agrees.
"After this victory, the elected and democratic government will be free to take its decisions, and there will be no confrontation between the different pillars of the states."
Tahir Hussain, a taxi driver, is more interested in reduction in price-hike.
"If Musharraf’s resignation can resolve our problems, then I will be the happiest person," he said.
"But to be very frank, I have no interest with all that. I neither support Musharraf nor the government. I just want our problems to be resolved.
"The back-breaking price-hike has made life miserable for people like me, who are in the majority in Pakistan, but unfortunately no one has time to think about us," Hussain fumed.
"The government should learn the lesson from the ouster of Musharraf. No one will stay here forever except Allah. Therefore, the current rulers must understand the fact that if they do not work for the poor people of this country, they will have to face the same fate."
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