Musharraf quits as Pakistan President

Islamabad, Aug 18: Pakistan President, Prevez Musharraf on Monday, Aug 18 resigned from the Presidency of Pakistan. While addressing the nation Musharraf said that Pakistan's interests were always first on his agenda. 'Sabse pehle pakistan' was the slogan and my heart's voice," Musharraf said.

Terming the day as a 'day of big decisions', he said that he worked hard nine years to take Pakistan to development. I have seen Pakistan through worst times. Two years ago Pakistan was going to be called as 'Terrorist Nation', I stopped it. I have faught two war for Pakistan and still have the same enthusiasum. Under my rule Pakistan developed immensely.

"After consultations with my legal advisers and close polital friends, for the country and the nation today, I am deciding to resign from my office. I am leaving with the satisfaction that whatever I did for this country and the population, I did with honesty and committment," a teary-eyed Musharraf said.

"But I am also a human being," he added. "I might have made some mistakes, but I have hope that this nation and the population will tolerate those mistakes with the belief that my intentions were always clear and to the benefit of this country."

Rumours persisted that Musharraf was going to resign to avoid charges of impeachment that were to be levelled against him in parliament later this week.

Taking on the government trading 'false allegations' on him, Musharraf said that the allegations will damage the interest of the nation. "They say my policies are wrong in the past nine years. There are traitors slandering me ...all these accusations are false."

Musharraf said that people are being misled by creating a false impression that his nine-year reign was leading the country towards economic ruin. "I have been blamed and the lies has been forced to be made the truth...people are being cheated by the false allegations levelled against him," he added.

Musharraf said the government should forget the past and look to the future to solve the economic problems of Pakistan.

Hearing the news of Musharraf's resignation, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif said it is the victory of the people of Pakistan.

Musharraf will not face impeachment now. Sources says that he may leave to Jeddah as Saudi state guest. Ironically he is going to stay in the same palace where Nawaz Sharif stayed in exile.

OneIndia News