Strongman, History-maker, Military Ruler, 'Democratic President' Pervez Musharraf, 65, bows out. Photograph courtesy: abc.net.au
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (BBC Breaking News), August 18, 2008: One week after he completed his 65 years of age, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced today he is resigning after nine years in power, amid impeachment charges based on claims he violated the constitution.
For nearly a decade Pervez Musharraf was the most powerful man in Pakistan, reports BBC's Chris Morris from Islamabad.
His resignation marks the end of an era for a country facing enormous economic and security challenges.
He will be remembered for many things.
He overthrew an elected government in a military coup. He took Pakistan to the brink of war with India, only to launch a sustained peace process a few years later.
In the aftermath of the 11 September attacks in New York and Washington he declared his full support for the United States and became a key player in the American-led war on terror.
War on terror
He was also responsible for modernising many sections of Pakistani society.
But he brooked no opposition, and weakened important state institutions. And in the end he has fallen victim to hubris, the feeling that he was indispensable and he could do no wrong.
He leaves Pakistan as a more fragile and fractured country than it was when he came to power....
© BBC MMVIII
August 18, 2008
PAKISTAN: Musharraf Steps Down as 12th President of the Islamic Republic
Strongman, History-maker, Military Ruler, 'Democratic President' Pervez Musharraf, 65, bows out. Photograph courtesy: abc.net.au
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (BBC Breaking News), August 18, 2008: One week after he completed his 65 years of age, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced today he is resigning after nine years in power, amid impeachment charges based on claims he violated the constitution.
For nearly a decade Pervez Musharraf was the most powerful man in Pakistan, reports BBC's Chris Morris from Islamabad.
His resignation marks the end of an era for a country facing enormous economic and security challenges.
He will be remembered for many things.
He overthrew an elected government in a military coup. He took Pakistan to the brink of war with India, only to launch a sustained peace process a few years later.
In the aftermath of the 11 September attacks in New York and Washington he declared his full support for the United States and became a key player in the American-led war on terror.
War on terror
He was also responsible for modernising many sections of Pakistani society.
But he brooked no opposition, and weakened important state institutions. And in the end he has fallen victim to hubris, the feeling that he was indispensable and he could do no wrong.
He leaves Pakistan as a more fragile and fractured country than it was when he came to power....
© BBC MMVIII
