Pakistan's Musharraf announces resignation

Kamran Haider
Reuters
Monday, Aug 18, 2008

Nuclear-armed Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government.

The former army chief and firm U.S. ally has seen his popularity slide over the past 18 months and has been isolated since his allies lost a February election.

"After consultations with legal advisers and close political supporters and on their advice, I'm taking the decision of resigning," Musharraf said a televised address.

"My resignation will go to the speaker of the National Assembly today."

The coalition government, led by the party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, said on August 8 it planned to impeach Musharraf.

The powerful army, which has ruled for more than half the country's 61-year history, has publicly kept out of the controversy over its old boss.

No unrest was expected as a result of the increasingly unpopular leader's resignation.

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