ISLAMABAD —

Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf, facing moves by the coalition government to impeach him, announced he is resigning Monday after nine years in power to spare his country further political uncertainty and turmoil. ‘‘In the interest of the nation, I resign from my post today,’’ Musharraf said on national television in announcing his decision in a long and rambling address in which he defended his actions and policies as president since coming to power in a 1999 coup. ‘‘I do not want anything from anyone. I hand over my future into the people’s hands. Let them be the judges and let them do justice,’’ he said. Musharraf said his resignation would reach the speaker of the National Assembly within the day.

The two major parties in the ruling coalition had earlier warned that a motion to impeach Musharraf for subverting the Constitution would be introduced in the assembly within the day if he did not resign Monday. ‘‘My life has always been for this country and for the people of this country,’’ Musharraf said in ending his address. ‘‘Bye bye to Pakistan, God protect Pakistan.’’ Musharraf said he is resigning to spare the country further instability that could lead to the army’s intervention. He said the decision was reached after consulting with his advisers and supporters and assessing what would happen even if he were to survive impeachment in parliament. ‘‘The nation would be defeated either way, the country’s dignity would suffer and the dignity of this (presidential) office would be hurt,’’ he said. ‘‘The government’s relations with the presidential palace would remain tense, the country’s institutions would also face tension and conflict, and the pillars of the state—the parliament and the judiciary - could be in conflict. And God forbid, the army could get involved, and I don’t want to see that happening.’’

Kyodo

9 Comments

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  some14some at 08:17 AM JST - 19th August

  "I am 'pure' muslim" these are the words of former Pres. (dictator) Musharraf. So whatever he did was in the name of Allah and allah will give him asylum in Mecca if not Manhattan.

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  bushlover at 10:10 AM JST - 19th August

  Yes some1. Allah loves Manhattan. It seems to be his land.

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  bebert at 10:42 AM JST - 19th August

  Musharraf clearly understands the pettiness and chaos of democracy and mob rule. Things will only get worse for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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  LIBERTAS at 10:57 AM JST - 19th August

  One news agency in the US is reporting that Musharraf "resigned without being assassinated!" and hailed it as an achievement!

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  williamsmith at 11:32 AM JST - 19th August

  Too bad about this, now Pakistan will slide back into complete chaos.

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  Altria at 12:02 PM JST - 19th August

  One news agency in the US is reporting that Musharraf "resigned without being assassinated!" and hailed it as an achievement!

  I shot Musharraf.

  But I did not shoot his deputy.

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  adaydream at 12:36 PM JST - 19th August

  I'm glad he's out. I wonder how much of the $5Billion did he funnel to his own Swiss Bank account. < :-)

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  SushiSake3 at 09:51 PM JST - 19th August

  Pakistan has nukes.

  Someone get on the phone and tell America they better build a missile shield around the entire region to cage these bad guys in and protect The Great American Homeland from "Rogue States"!!!! :-)

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  undecidedbout08 at 09:32 AM JST - 20th August

  Pakistan has nukes.

  Someone get on the phone and tell America they better build a missile shield around the entire region to cage these bad guys in and protect The Great American Homeland from "Rogue States"!!!! :-)

  Why did you Commonwealth nations allow the fundies their own state in the first place?

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