Adil Najam
UPDATE: Gen. Musharraf has just announced his resignantion during a nationally televised address. Read more here.
ORIGINAL POST:
Gen. Pervez Musharraf is slated to the address the nation in a televised address at 1PM PST today (Monday, August 18, 2008). Leading newspapers, such as The News and Dawn, are reporting that he is likely to announce his resignation and TV News channels are doing the same; indeed some have started running film summaries of his tenure as President as if his departure is already a done deal.
It may well be so. But given that this is Pakistan and this is Gen. Pervez Musharraf, one must never rule out the likelihood of surprises.
According to Dawn:
President Pervez Musharraf is to address the nation on Monday afternoon, his spokesman told AFP, while dismissing rumours that he had resigned to avoid impeachment. “The president will address the nation at 01:00pm (0700 GMT),†said retired Major General Rashid Qureshi, the chief presidential spokesman. Asked about local television reports that Musharraf had already resigned in the face of attempts by the governing coalition to impeach him, the spokesman replied, “It is all nonsense.†Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said it appeared that Musharraf had “seen the writing on the wall†but did not say if he knew what the president was planning to announce. “He is a wise man, he is a very experienced man and he has seen the writing on the wall,†Qureshi told Dawn News television when asked if he had confirmation that Musharraf had resigned. “He has seen the sentiments of not just the elected representatives, but various institutions… who all asked him to move in a particular way and do not destabilize things here,†he said. Pakistan People’s Party spokesman Farhatullah Babar said: “His political fate has been sealed. Whatever he says doesn’t matter.â€
[Strong] speculation is that Gen. Musharraf will use this speech to resign from the office of President, that a ‘deal’ has already been reached – which includes three elements: (a) that he resigns and no formal impeachment is carried out, (b) that he is given a broad amnesty against legal action against him, and (c) he is provided some form of ‘safe passage.’
My own sense is that if he does make the planned speech he will use it to describe, defend and detail what he considers to be the “achievements” of his tenure as President. While a formal “charge sheet” against him may never be tabled in Parliament, he will use this speech to answer the charges that have been and are being made against him. Expect, then, a speech that lists what he things he has achieved and responds to the lists of what his distractors say he has failed to do. This he will certainly do.
At the end of all this (a) he could say that although he has done his very best and beyond, in the interest of the country he will leave the office of the President so that the opposition to his person does not impede national progress; or (b) he could say that since he is proud of what he has achieved he will, like a good commando, fight to the very end because that is what is in the interest of the country. No matter which course he chooses, this will be one of the most important (if not the most important) speech of his life.
Given the way things stand right now it is more likely than not that he will take something akin to the first course. But even if he does not, it is quite clear that he is on his way out. If not today, then soon. If not through impeachment, then through resignation.
The question uppermost on most Pakistani minds is no longer whether Gen. Pervez Musharraf is on his way out. It is, what will happen to Pakistan after he leaves? Will everything become perfectly good once he is gone? Will things become not perfect but better? Will things becomes even worse? What do you think?
So the hype is over – the stocks are back (it is our money we care afterall) and with the xodus of another president (reminds me of a similar speech by President ayub Khan back in 1969), the playing fied is now open for all and sundry – the 10 – 90 % and the makers of motorways, and our poor foreign exchange reserves which were built up to record 17 billions which will now be gone in days not even weeks.
How unfortunate we are – we use emotions not logic, we display personalities and not character. Today we have one less man of character. How very unfortunate.
Mr. Musharff is gone. This is not the time to rejoice or distribute sweets as is the practice. One must do soem sole aerching. The country is in the hands of those who have checkered and tainted characters. If we are expecting some thing to come out of these people, we may living in Alice and Wonderland. There will be fight(s) between Sahrifs and Zardari for the positions, titles,goodies at the expense of the poor Pakistani, who have been suffering for last 60 years. This will continue. What Pakistan and Pakistanis need is ” a few honest, sincere, simple” persons who will do things for the betterment of the country and not for self or family (ies).
I am not holding my breath. Things will get worst before there is a chance for it to get better. Just hope for the best and prey.
Well another patriotic Pakistani leader resigned today! Now while he is gone whats gona collation do ??? Ther is no Musharaf! lets see how things get better! I wish Prosperity for Pakistan….but dont see it in near Future or long! God Bless Pakistan. We dint care for the one we had! God Bless Musharaf may he Live long with great health and Honor “Saab Say Phalay Pakistan”
Toogy said “Were you sleeping the whole time he sacked the judges and the judiciary, beat up the media (and dares to say he made the
With M resigning I hope our politicians have lost their final excuse to not get anything done in the country.
Mr Sharif should also remember that the only reason why he is alive is b/c Musharaff did agree to have him sent into exile. Our past military leaders had not been that kind, so he should put a stop to his daily rants about no indemnity. He forgets that he may not like musharaff, but there are still a lot of people out there who may not have wanted him in power, but hold no grudges against him.. God help Pakistan..