Despite repeated denials about his possible resignation by the presidential spokesman, Pervez Musharraf eventually stepped down as the Pakistani President Monday, claiming that the decision was made for the sake of national interest.
With the removal of Musharraf, coalition government had to faceup to the challenges ahead.
Resignation is inevitable
Musharraf's resignation was considered by many people, including his proponents, as a matter of course under the current circumstances.
His popularity plummeted as Musharraf declared a state of emergency on Nov. 3, 2007 and sacked around 60 judges, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
In the general elections that was held on Feb. 18, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged as two largest parties in the National Assembly, defeating the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
The PPP and PML-N in March agreed to form a coalition government taking two other parties into confidence. At the same time, the pro-Musharraf PML-Q chose to sit in the opposition and could hardly rival with the ruling coalition in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies.
On Aug. 7, the ruling coalition initiated proceedings of impeachment. Soon, four provincial assemblies passed resolutions against Musharraf, asking him to take a vote of confidence or resign.
In response to the coalition's bid to impeach Musharraf, the United States, which had been bolstering him whenever he faced a crisis before, said it was "the internal politics of Pakistan internal affair".
Analysts pointed out that Musharraf must have smelt a rat in the statement of the U.S., which always termed Musharraf as a key ally against terrorism.
"I have consulted all legal experts, my political supporters. With their advice, I have decided to quit," Musharraf said in a televised national address on Monday.
Analysts pointed out that Musharraf, in fact, had no other choices except resignation.
Theoretically, Musharraf had the constitutional right to dissolve the parliament. However, the PPP and PML-N warned of grave consequences if Musharraf dissolved the parliament. Even the pro-Musharraf PML-Q was against taking the step.
Once the proceedings of impeachment are initiated, Musharraf would be left with no room for a safe exit if he is decided guilty of the charges leveled by the coalition.
According to Pakistan's Constitution, successful impeachment of a sitting president needs the approval of two thirds of a joint session of the two houses of the parliament. That is to say, the coalition should have the support of 295 out of some 440 members of the senate and national assembly. The coalition partners alleged that they had the support of more than 340 parliamentarians.
In the end, Musharraf was actually left with no better choice than resignation.
Resignation accepted
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif said Monday that Musharraf's resignation was the victory of democracy. Describing Musharraf's resignation as victory of the people, Pakistan People's Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari said it would strengthen the democracy and the country.
Meanwhile, the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhary Shujaat said the president had resigned from his position in the national interest and not under any pressure. The opposition wants to work with the ruling coalition in harmony but it depends upon their attitude, said Shujaat.
In a statement released on Monday, the White House said Bush "appreciates President Musharraf's efforts in the democratic transition of Pakistan as well as his commitment to fighting al-Qaeda and extremist groups."
Bush "looks forward to working with the government of Pakistan on the economic, political and security challenges they face," the U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in the statement.
Challenges and uncertainties ahead
Zardari has said PPP is the majority party and has the right to appoint its own president once Musharraf was gone. A short while after Musharraf' resignation, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the next Pakistani President would be from PPP. At the same time, the PML-N was mulling nominating its own presidential candidate.
The competition for the office of President offers people a glimpse of possible clashes between the two coalition partners in the future.
Zardari conceded in a recent interview with Dawn News TV channel that political differences between the PPP and the PML-N were bound to emerge after Musharraf's removal.
The PPP and PML-N, two traditional rival parties, will not easily find a way to share power, analysts said.
Critics accused the coalition government of failing to resolve the pressing issues faced by the masses. Currently Pakistan is suffering from price hikes, surging oil prices, power shortage and the escalation of militancy. They said the newly-elected government did nothing to improve the situation during its four-month rule.
Whenever the government is blamed for economic problems, the government officials will complain that they inherited problems from Musharraf and the ex-government. As Musharraf resigned, the coalition government will have to face the accusations themselves. If they fail to solve the problems, feelings of doubt and mistrust will arise.
Source: Xinhua
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