Adil Najam
In a nationally televised speech, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, has just announced his resignation, pre-empting a move to impeach him by the parliament.
This post has been updated to add news photos from this momentous day in Pakistan’s political history. The pictures speak eloquently of the moods and thoughts of the day. (Scroll down to see the video of Gen. Musharraf’s resignation speech).
Participate in a poll on what might be Pakistan’s future post-Musharraf, here.
Here is a Pervez Musharraf time-line, published in The News:
August 1943: Born in Delhi, India
1964: Joins Pakistani army.
1998: Becomes army chief of staff.
October 1999: Seizes power in a bloodless military coup, overthrowing the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif. In response, the Commonwealth suspends Pakistan’s membership.
June 20 2001: Makes himself president, replacing Rafiq Tarar, while remaining head of the army. Tarar is forced out of office when the parliament that elected him is dissolved.
July 2001: Holds first meeting with the Indian prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Agra in India. No progress is made because of differences over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
September 2001: George Bush courts Musharraf, asking him to join him in his “war on terror” and help defeat the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. The US president promises Pakistan $1bn in aid.
April 2002: Wins a referendum giving him another five years in office. Observers criticise the referendum as blighted by irregularities.
May 2002: Pakistan test fires three medium-range surface-to-surface missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Musharraf insists his country would not be the one to initiate war.
August 2002: Consolidates his power still further, giving himself the right to dismiss an elected parliament.
October 2002: Pakistan’s first general election since Musharraf seized power in 1999 results in a hung parliament.
November 2002: Mir Zafarullah Jamali becomes the first civilian prime minister since 1999. He is a member of a Musharraf-supporting party.
November 2003: Pakistan’s National Assembly meets for the first time since 1999.
December 2003: Musharraf promises to step down as head of the army by January 2005.
May 2004: Pakistan is readmitted to the Commonwealth.
December 2004: Musharraf announces he will stay on as head of the army.
August 2005: Pakistan tests its first nuclear-capable cruise missile.
March 2007: Musharraf suspends the chief justice, Iftakar Mohammed Chaudhry, triggering a wave of anger across the country and the first joint protests held by the parties of exiled former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
October 2007: Signs a corruption amnesty, opening the way for Bhutto’s return and a possible power-sharing agreement. Within hours of Bhutto’s arrival back in the country, bombers attack a Bhutto rally in Karachi, killing more than 100 people.
November 2007: Declares a state of emergency, rounding up opposition leaders at gunpoint. In the same month, Musharraf quits as head of the army, becoming a civilian president.
December 15 2007: Lifts state of emergency and announces plans to go ahead with parliamentary elections scheduled for January 8.
December 27 2007: Benazir Bhutto is assassinated at an election rally in Rawalpindi.
January 2008: Elections postponed until February 18.
February 2008: The two main opposition parties gain a clear majority in the elections.
August 2008: The two main parties strike a deal to impeach Musharraf if parliament backs the move.
August 18 2008: Musharraf announces his resignation
Ab Full Corruption Ki Baari Hai,
Q K Ab Daur-E-Zardari Hai,
Ab Lootna Maal Sarkari Hai
Q K Ab Daur-E-Zardari Hai,
Ab Ap Ki Izzat Apki Apni Zimmedari Hai,
Q K Izzat Ka Shikari Asif Ali Zardari Hai,
Ab Photi Qismat Hamari Hai,
Q K Ab Nawaz Sharif Ka Bhai Asif Ali Zardari Hai…
To all the people on the blog against Musharraf, I may now ask you what is the solution to the current crisis Pakistan is facing.
These corrupted people are only fighting for their personal interest rather than the interest of Pakistan. We need a strong man like Musharraf for this country and not a corrupt opposition. Are these not the same people who formed a collation to oust Musharraf, it
Does anyone know where Musharraf now lives? Not Presidency or Army House?
First, I am happy to see Musharraf go. There was a time when he was a solution, but he had become a problem.
Second, I am not a fan of Nawaz Sharif or Asif Zardari. But if they can start putting things right, including restoring the judges, I will be vary happy.
Third, I am willing to give these guys another chance, but Zardari has lied to the country too many times, if he goes back on his word again (by not restoring the judges or becoming President after saying many times that he will not) then he is no better than Musharraf for me.
Fourth, I actully want the coalition to break up but after judges are restored. Because you need a strong opposition for balance.
My Pakistan prosper. Ameen.
Musharraf has left office like a coward. making deals, leaving his job half-done and dicthing his friends.
That he turned into a coward is not a surprise, but it is sad.