President Resigns !!!

News Source : Geo.tv

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.