HE’S GONE

The sober grey suit and tie were just right for the occasion. It was Pervez Musharraf ’s last day in office as president of Pakistan. He addressed the nation in a televised speech, took the guard of honour for one last time and left.

The former general’s future is a matter of wild speculation here in Pakistan and abroad: Where will he go? What will he do? And there are no answers at the moment, only choices and options.

Analysts believe that Musharraf has gone as part of a deal, overseen by the Pakistan Army, which will not allow its former chief to be humiliated.

Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro assumed the office of acting president later in the day. A full-time successor will have to be named within the next four months according to the constitution.

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Musharraf wants to go down fighting

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf may be counting his days in office but wants to go down fighting.

“He won’t resign and will defend himself”, said a senior official at the Presidency on Sunday night. But the political pundits continue to believe he will have to quit.

“If he doesn’t resign, it will be one more mistake (by him). He knows, the government has enough numbers to vote him out in case of impeachment,” a political commentator said.

For a successful impeachment, 295 members of the National Assembly and the Senate must vote against the President and the ruling parties claim to have support of over 300 members.

The government on Sunday finalised the charge sheet against President Musharraf which will be forwarded to the leaders of the coalition for a final approval on Monday.

Talking to media after a meeting of the coalition partners, information minister Sherry Rehman said that impeachment motion would be tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday and added that Mr Musharraf could resign according to Article 44 of the Constitution before being impeached.

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