President resigns, leaves Aiwan-e-Sadr

Resource The News Monday, August 18, 2008

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has vacated Aiwan-e-Sadr after stepping down from the office of President.

He was accorded a 'guard of honour' before leaving the President’s House.

Before departing, the former president met with many important figures including the Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed.

Chairman Senate, Muhammad Mian Soomro has taken over as acting President of Pakistan after the former president Pervez Musharraf’s resignation.

President Pervez Musharraf resigned after remaining in power for nine years.

He announced resignation from his post in an address to the nation Monday.

He dismissed the “false allegations” being leveled against him by the coalition government and said he was neither afraid of the charges against him, nor shy to face these through impeachment.

“For me it is always Pakistan first”, Musharraf said and added that politics of confrontation must come to an end and instead a policy of reconciliation be pursued.

He stressed immediate measure be taken to arrest the economic downturn and said the nation has the resilience to withstand any challenge.

He said it was not a time to show bravado, but to get serious as country’s dignity was at stake, the office of Presidency would bear the brunt.

“For 44 years I have safeguarded the country and will continue to do so.”

“No charge sheet can stand against me. Not even a single charge can be proven against me as I have full trust in Allah Almighty and I did everything with the belief of Pakistan First.”
The President said he took all decisions with consultation, took all stakeholders onboard, on the most difficult decisions.

“All stake holders, whether they were soldiers, politicians, bureaucrats, members of civil society, Ulema were consulted in all decisions. “I have nothing to worry about the charge sheet,” Musharraf said.

The President said he has mixed thoughts to do something to take the country out of this crisis. Parliament can be saved from horse-trading. Even if the impeachment fails, the relations between institutions of the state will never be the same again.

President Musharraf said it was the government’s right to initiate the process of impeachment against him, however he had full right to defend himself.

“Impeachment is their (government’s) right and to face it, is my right,” he categorically added.

However, he said no charge could be proved against him, and he was not afraid of impeachment.

“I believe that no charge sheet can stand against me because I never did things for my own self but for my country.”

“I am not afraid of impeachment because not a single charge can be proved against me.”
Musharraf said he had no guilt on his conscious for his nine-year rule.

“I am leaving with this satisfaction that I did my best with honesty and responsibility,” he said.

President Musharraf defended the performance in all areas of governance during his tenure; particularly the economy, empowerment of people, achievements in health, education and social sectors, besides the war on terror.

“We held elections twice. The senate, national assembly and local government, all completed their terms. This is the essence of democracy”

“I am proud of all these achievements, all done for Pakistan and its people,” the President said.

Musharraf rejected the allegations, saying he has done nothing wrong and could face the charges.

The President said he pursued a reconciliatory approach and there was nothing personal or even a hint of personal vendetta since the new government took over.

The people had new hopes from the new leadership that emerged after the Feb 18 election, where they can fight illiteracy, get employment, bring an end to confrontation between different state institutions.

“Unfortunately all my appeals towards reconciliation and to address the complicated issues, fell on deaf ears.”

“All my efforts unfortunately failed,” Musharraf said.

“Certain vested interests began an atmosphere of confrontation and of vendetta; they blamed me of hatching conspiracies from Aiwan-e-Sadr.”

He said free, fair, transparent elections were held on Feb 18 and participation of all parties was ensured. “Had it been a conspiracy, we would not have done it,” Musharraf said.

In the presence of a healthy opposition the budget passed without a hitch.

“I publicly announced support to the government and offered to share all my experience with them to help address complicated issues it was confronting.”

“The coalition considered me a problem and not a solution,” Musharraf said.

“Are they afraid of me or my obligations under the constitution.”

President Musharraf said he always believed in the slogan of ‘Pakistan First’ and said he still believes in it.

“I have fought two wars for Pakistan and still have the same spirit for my country.”

“I took power of the country when it was at the brink of being declared a failed state,”

Musharraf said and dwelt at length over the economic achievements, since he took over.
However the President said certain elements have been trying to level false allegations against me.

He said eight months back the GDP was growing at a rate of 7 per cent and had touched 180 billion, with 17 billion US dollars in foreign exchange reserves. The revenue collection was Rs 1000 billion.

He said the Stock Exchange Index was 16,000 and the exchange rate hovered around Rs 60 for the past eight years - all these were the indicators of a robust economy, the President added.

He said the Stock Exchange plunged, dollar rose to Rs 77, investors are fleeing the country, money is going out, and no new investment is coming.

The President said it all was leading to increased sufferings for the poor, for whom even the common edibles had gone out of reach.

There has been a global economic slowdown, but only because of the robust economy of Pakistan, it managed to bear all this, he added.

President Musharraf said owing to the increased industrial and economic growth the demand for electricity rose, and admitted that power generation capacity did not match it.

He said over 3000 MW electricity generation was added, but it was inadequate to meet the demand.

In June 2007, we were generating 14000 MW, now we are 10,000 MW and since we do not have adequate funding, the additional generation was not being met.

President Musharraf regretted that unfortunately the atmosphere was being vitiated that was having a negative impact on all sectors of the economy.

The President said in the past nine years all areas were addressed and measures were taken to improve their working.

He said before he took over, only the M2 section of motorway was constructed with much fanfare, while during the nine years a large number of road projects were completed.

“Whosoever says that our policies for last nine years were faulty and unsatisfactory, should not damage Pakistan,” he said.

President Pervez Musharraf said it was now time to “forget about the past and focus on future. The government should find solutions for the problems and take the country forward.”

“There is no essence of democracy now,” the President regretted and added that it was infact during his government that the local government system empowered the people at the grassroots level.

Musharraf said in 1990s, the country had no international stature, but during his tenure Pakistan took a prominence and was heard at all international fora with respect.

He said in the aftermath of the Oct 8 earthquake over 80 countries participated in the Donor’s Conference and instead of the need for US 5 billion dollars, the community pledged US 6.5 billion, reflecting its stature.

Brief summary of President Pervez Musharraf's speech delivered in Urdu language

Source:- http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/18/musharraf.htm

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.

Party is over

Soruce The Nation http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Editorials/18-Aug-2008/Party-is-over

General Musharraf must find himself being squeezed from all directions since his political allies are abandoning him as the drive for impeachment gathers momentum. The President’s legal aides are divided on whether he should challenge the chargesheet likely to be presented in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Messrs Sharifuddin Pirzada and Abdul Hafeez Pirzada advised him to do so whereas Attorney General Malik Qayyum was of the view that the Supreme Court would not like to be dragged into this controversy. A news report indicated that the AG told the President that the court would not be interested in entertaining his request for blocking the impeachment. And he has a point in saying that the recipe proposed by the Pirzadas may trigger confrontation between the Parliament and the judiciary. But the argument that in case of such an eventuality Zardari House can consider the option of reinstating the deposed judges does not hold water because of its obvious implications for the PPP leadership.
The coalition can be seen tightening its noose around Musharraf amid reports that his emissaries and some foreign dignitaries are busy trying to secure him an indemnity from the prosecution in case he decides to step down voluntarily. But the rapid developments that are taking place seem to have left the President racing against time. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi gave him an ultimatum on Saturday to “make up your mind about resigning within next 24 hours as there is no room for delay”. This was followed by Information Minister Sherry Rehman’s observation that the doors of reconciliation with General Musharraf had been closed and no foreign or internal mediation would be accepted for granting him a safe passage. The impeachment drafting committee meanwhile finalised the chargesheet after intense deliberations and it would now be presented to the coalition heads for their assent today. There are also indications that the ruling leadership, also counting on independents as well as Musharraf’s erstwhile apologists, will demonstrate its strength in the two houses of parliament at a meeting at the PM House the same evening.
General Musharraf must see the writing on the wall. It is time he stopped blustering about contesting the charges against him, lent an ear to the saner counselling and quit. It is equally important for the ruling coalition to find a compromise candidate for the presidency. Both mainstream parties need to understand that any disagreement between them will prove disastrous for the country, mired in multifaceted crises.