Aug 18, 2008
Musharraf Announces Resignation, Defends Record in National Address
- 03:06AM – New York: Musharraf will speak in a few minutes and he still has everyone guessing as to what course he will take. Pundits note his volatile nature and commando background. Musharraf has reportedly even kept close allies in the dark. Phenomenal. The context is as dramatic as his first speech after his 1999 coup as well as the address he gave minutes after an assassination attempt.
- 03:15 – Musharraf begins speaking. Describes the state of the country in 1999, when he took over.
- 03:19 – He says the challenges Pakistan has faced in the past almost nine years are probably the greatest in its history, including socioeconomic challenges, conflict with India, and 9/11.
- 03:20 – He says that some have put their personal interests above national interests and have leveled unfounded allegations toward him.
- 03:24 – He says he wants to present some truths before the public and will release a paper before the public regarding the economy. The economy was fine as of 2007. Foreign reserves were abundant. Stock exchange index was high and the exchange rate was stable.
- 03:25 – He says Pakistan was just one level below the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China).
- 03:26 – He says that that in the past 7-8 years, energy demand increased dramatically; Pakistan was unable to match supply with demand increase. But the energy demand increase was the product of massive economic growth.
- 03:30 – The present challenges can be overcome. Calls on the government to look to the future, find solutions for problems, and improve Pakistan.
- 03:34 – Notes some infrastructural gains during his tenure, including: M1 (Islamabad-Pindi), M3 (Lahore-Faisalabad), and the Karachi Bypass. Says he pushed forward with the development of dams, which stalled prior to his rule. Adds this will irrigate huge amounts of newly arable land.
- 03:36 – Highlights a “telecom revolution,” “massive industrialization,” the creation of jobs, and attraction of foreign investors.
- 03:37 – Claims to have addressed literacy and technical education, and initiated joint projects with foreign universities. Massive funding for Ph.D students.
- 03:40 – Says he implemented programs for water purification and empowering women. A three pronged strategy that included empowering women politically (e.g. via reserved seats) and combating legal discrimination (e.g. honor killings).
- 03:41 – Notes his cultural development initiatives, such as the National College of Arts, National Academy of Performing Arts, and various museums, galleries, and monuments.
- 03:43 – Claims his local government program bridged the gap between policy formulation and implementation. Says those who attack this program inflict harm on Pakistan.
- 03:45 – Says no one listened to Pakistan before 1999. Now its voice is heard and viewed as important.
- 03:47 – In respect to law and order, says he increased police training and equipping. Says hooded, Kalashnikov-toting crowd was eliminated, but after 9/11 terrorism grew.
- 03:50 – Says he never followed a policy of revenge. Instead, pursued a three-phased transition to democracy. The third phase came last year with his resignation from the army. Next, was followed by the February elections and transition of power in a positive manner.
- 03:53 – Says after the elections, the people had certain hopes from their elected representatives. Unfortunately, his reconciliation overtures were rejected. Says his efforts failed. Some individuals played politics with terrorism and the economic situation. Rather than understanding, they chose the path of confrontation and pursuing vendettas. Says they claimed he was waging a conspiracy from the presidency, and this was baseless. He says he made possible and guaranteed free and fair elections in February. If he wanted to wage a conspiracy, why would he allow these free and fair elections?
- 03:55 – Says he publicly announced his support for the government and offered to share his experience developed over the years, but the coalition viewed him as a problem, not a solution. Now they want to impeach him. Why? Because of his constitutional rights/powers? Or because they want to hide their past and future mistakes? It is within parliament’s right to level a charge sheet and it is also within his right to defend himself. “No charge sheet can stand against me….What I did, was for Pakistan first. Pakistan before all….All decisions were made with consultation. All stakeholders were taken on board for all issues….whether they were the military…politicians…bureaucrats…or religious scholars.” Says he can respond to all allegations in the charge sheet with “full certainty.”
- 04:01 – “Can the nation tolerate more confrontation? Can the nation’s economy take more pressure? Can the nation handle an impeachment process? Is this a wise decision? I think this is not a time for individual bravado….regardless of whether I win or lose impeachment, the country will lose….Pakistan is my love. My first love.”
- 04:03 – Wonders whether he should do something. But does not want to lengthen this period of uncertainty. “Even if impeachment is defeated, the government’s relations with the presidency will still never be fine.”
- 04:04 – “As a result, considering this entire situation, after consulting legal advisors, political supporters, and taking their advice…I have decided to resign.”
- 04:06 – He says he did all he could. But he is a human and the people will judge him in the future.
- 04:08 – “My prayer is that the government curbs this down slide.” Says, “Today, I am completely happy that I leave a vibrant media.”
- 04:10 – “My heart was crying, concerned for the direction of the country….Where are we going?…How will the world view us?”
- 04:11 – “Even right now, our macroeconomic situation is sound. We need to re-rail what has been derailed.”
- 04:13 – Thanks the armed forces of Pakistan. Says they gave him respect and loyalty. He says he will never forget that. He says the salutes the Pakistan Army for the bravery and love of country with which the Army it has served Pakistan. (Salutes with hand)
- 04:15 – Thanks his political and non-political allies, bureaucrats, and his loyal staff. Says he can never forget what they did for him.
- 04:16 – Says he’s a middle class guy. He’s among/one of the people. He feels their life difficulties.
- 04:18 – Prays that God secures Pakistan, protects it from conspiracies (said very slowly and carefully), and eases Pakistan’s difficulties. Says he will always be available/present for Pakistan. He says, “Long live Pakistan” and “Khuda Hafiz Pakistan.” Voice chokes as he raises his fists. And so the story ends.
Pakistan has finally rid herself of a self-imposed imposter. Bush was his biggest ally. Musharraf had contaminated, polluted and corrupted democracy by imposing a pseudodemocracy butressed by the Americans for nine long years. In the process politicians were harassed, terrorized, killed and treated inhumanely by this animal and his clandestine secretive military and police agencies. Leaders were exiled so that he could sow the seeds of political defamation at home and abroad. He should now be charged for destroying democracy in Pakistan and tried for treason and treachery.
Bangladesh is slowly sliding into the same pre-Musharraf black era under a fascist army-led US-backed illegitimate undemocratic government. I hope they too would be booted out of power by December as had happened in Pakistan. With Bush-Cheney crooked duo gone the world should see rays of hope in the new year.
He is an emotional fellow.