Effort to impeach Pervez Musharraf
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The effort to impeach Pervez Musharraf was an August 2008 attempt by opposition parties comprising the
Background
On November 3, 2007, President and then-Chief of the Army Staff Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, postponing indefinitely the elections for the National Assembly of Pakistan that were initially scheduled to take place on January 8, 2008.[1] The emergency announcement also contained news of the dismissal of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, widely considered to have been motivated by a prediction that the Supreme Court was about to invalidate Musharraf's October reelection as President of Pakistan in uniform.[2] This action, combined with a broad-based pro-democracy movement occurring in Pakistan at the time, led to a precipitous fall in Musharraf's popularity.[2] Following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistani Election Commission announced that the election would occur on February 18.[3] The elections were won by the PPP and the PML-N, two parties hostile to Musharraf and his Pakistan Muslim League (Q) party.[citation needed]
Details
On August 7, 2008, the
Zardari announced on TV that the impeachment would be under Article 47 of the Pakistani Constitution. This provides the process for impeachment, but he did not mention the grounds. The 2007 impeachment proceedings, which led to the imposition of emergency rule, were based upon the provisions prohibiting the President of Pakistan from holding "an office of profit" from the Pakistan Government.[citation needed]
Pakistan's ruling coalition, on August 16, gave Musharraf a Tuesday, August 19 deadline to resign. Foreign Minister
Resignation
On August 18, 2008, in a speech defending his record, Musharraf announced that he would resign.
Musharraf, 65, announced his resignation, in a 1 p.m. televised address to avoid impeachment: "After viewing the situation and consulting legal advisers and political allies, with their advice I have decided to resign. I leave my future in the hands of people. Not a single charge in the impeachment can stand against me. No charge can be proved against me because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan. On the map of the world, Pakistan is now an important country, by the grace of Allah. Whether I win or lose the impeachment, the nation will lose. They don’t realize they can succeed against me but the country will undergo irreparable damage. My resignation will go to the speaker of the National Assembly today." In an emotional 1 hour speech, Musharraf raised his clenched fists to chest height, and said, "Long live Pakistan!" Nasir Ali Khan, a senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, said Musharraf will stay in Pakistan, a request he had insisted on. The Constitution provided that a new president must be chosen within 30 days.[16][17] The resignation permitted the 4-month-old coalition government to choose a new president by a vote of the Parliament and provincial assemblies.[18] US-based Newsweek magazine reported that "the president would 'fly into exile in Saudi Arabia, where he is to remain for the next three months."[19]
The British
Presidential election
Pakistan's Election Commission on August 22 announced that Presidential elections were to be held on September 6, and the nomination papers could be filed from August 26.[20] President Asif Ali Zardari was elected by the 2 houses of parliament and the 4 provincial assemblies on September 9.[21]
Exile
President Pervez Musharraf went into exile on 23 August, 2008. He arrived in London on 24 August, 2008.[22]
International reaction
- United States Department of State spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said, "We have consistently said the internal politics of Pakistan is an issue for the Pakistani people to decide," adding, "Our expectation is that any action will be consistent with the rule of law and the Pakistani constitution."[23]
References
- ^ "Musharraf targets key opponents". BBC News. November 4, 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b Sarwar, Nadeem. "Analysis: Former commando Musharraf unlikely to go easily" Archived August 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Monsters and Critics. August 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Scotland Yard Probe Into Pakistan Leader Bhutto's Assassination". Sky News. February 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Hussain, Zahid. "President Musharraf of Pakistan to be impeached". The Times. August 8, 2008.
- ^ Haider, Kamran. "Pakistan coalition to move for Musharraf impeachment". Reuters. August 7, 2008.
- Xinhua. August 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Paki coalition agrees to impeach Musharraf: officials" Archived August 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Agence France-Presse. Google News. August 7, 2008.
- ^ "Pakistan: Musharraf could face impeachment". CNN. August 7, 2008.
- ^ a b Ahmad, Munir. "Pakistan's Musharraf faces impeachment". Associated Press. Google News. August 7, 2008. Archived August 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ afp.google.com, Pakistan coalition gives two-day Musharraf ultimatum Archived August 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ ap.google.com, Pakistan coalition readies Musharraf impeachment Archived August 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ karachinews.net, Zardari says next Pak president could be a woman
- ^ ibnlive.com, Next Pak Prez should be from Baluchistan: Sharif
- ^ "Pakistan's Musharraf will resign".
- ^ nytimes.com, Defiant Musharraf Seeks Immunity From Charges
- ^ nytimes.com, Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation
- ^ afp.google.com, Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation Archived August 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ iht.com, Musharraf announces his resignation
- ^ monstersandcritics.com, Pakistani President Musharraf steps down (2nd Lead) Archived May 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Pakistan presidential poll on September 6
- ^ "yes radionetherlands.nl, Pakistan to choose president on 6 September". Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2008.
- ^ Leading News Resource of Pakistan Archived September 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "US says Musharraf impeachment bid an 'internal' matter" Archived August 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Agence France-Presse. Google News. August 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
External links
- ibnlive.com, The rise and fall of Pervez Musharaff
- economictimes.indiatimes.com, Chronology of Musharraf's rule since Pakistan coup
- uk.reuters.com, Facts about Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf
- reuters.com, ANALYSTS' VIEWS: Reaction to Musharraf's resignation
- Musharraf's last televised address to Pakistan, during which he declared his resignation