August 17th, 2008 · Shaan Akbar
 The media has been awash with reports of President Pervez Musharraf's impending resignation in the face of the current coalition government's move to impeach him. Late last week, both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times had issued reports that Musharraf was going to resign within days with the Wall Street Journal going as far as to say within "48 hours." Those days came and passed and there was no resignation to be found.
We at the Insider Brief have refrained from chiming in on the issue because there has been far too much disinformation and sensationalism out there clouding the actual story and underlying events. As more information has become available to us, we will briefly try to make heads or tails of the situation in Islamabad.
Our sources report that anxiously waiting Pakistan-watchers can likely expect some major news on Monday. The last time our sources told us to expect "major news," Musharraf shed his uniform; this time may be a little different. We're hesitant to speculate that Musharraf will resign due to what we've been hearing. The level of leaks and "inside news" emerging from Pakistani and American papers alike is unprecedented - and for good reason. Sources further report that a thorough disinformation campaign is being carried out by Pakistani intelligence agencies ("lafafa" journalism anyone?).
We believe that the campaign may be an attempt to focus the attention of Pakistanis and foreign governments towards the prospect of Musharraf's resignation, away from the idea that he may be planning something altogether different. Based off chatter we've picked up on, we believe that any alternate plans being chalked up by Musharraf and the establishment may relate to the repeal of the National Reconciliation Order (NRO) that absolved the likes of Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif of their sins, fabricated or otherwise.
Our rationale is based off the fact that Musharraf allowed for the return and political participation of the late Bhutto, and to some degree the Sharifs, with the understanding that they would play by the rules laid out by the establishment. By pursuing Musharraf's impeachment, they crossed the line in the sand. Now if Musharraf must go, he will pursue mutually assured destruction, bringing the coalition government down with him.
Ultimately, even if Musharraf does go, it's of little consequence. As president, his constitutional powers are largely ceremonial - for whatever the constitution's worth.
Musharraf 'hands over resignation' to army chief
From Afzal Khan
18 August 2008
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has handed over his resignation to the country's army chief along with a set of demands, diplomatic sources here said on Sunday.
It was learnt that Musharraf made up his mind to quit after his meeting with the former chief of an intelligence agency last week.
While handing over a hand-written resignation, Musharraf also jotted down some conditions for his exit, which included indemnity from any prosecution, extension of all perks and privileges he is entitled to as president in retirement and full security guaranteed by the army, added the sources.
He reportedly insisted that he would stay within the country and reside at his Chak Shehzad farmhouse in the suburbs of the capital, Islamabad. The farmhouse is currently undergoing renovation.
Sources also told this correspondent that the resignation is with the army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, and will be handed over to the political leadership when all things are settled.
They added some top generals led by Gen. Kayani later met President Musharraf who said he would like to see the charge sheet against him and respond to it before stepping down. At one stage Musharraf is cited to have told the generals: "You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you."
He also warned the generals that charges against him like the massacre in Lal Masjid could also apply to some of them.
The generals told him that if the elected representatives of the people thought they were also to blame they were ready to face the charges. It was pointed out that Gen. Kayani had opposed the operation as the then intelligence chief.
Musharraf, it is learnt, would be advised to go for Umrah to Saudi Arabia and then proceed to United States for medical check-up.
Presidential spokesman Maj-Gen. (retd) Rashid Qureshi, however, again denied all reports that Musharraf has resigned.
President of the pro-Musharraf party, Pakistan Muslim League, Quad-e-Azam (PML-Q), Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told reporters here that Musharraf was not resigning and would confront the charge sheet. He said the ruling coalition had yet not prepared the charge sheet and was only making such claims to put pressure on the president.
An open letter to Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari
Khaled Almaeena I almaeena@arabnews.com
I AM writing this to you sitting outside a coffee shop in Virginia, a little outside Washington. I hope that my letter will be taken in the spirit in which it is written "” from someone who deeply loves Pakistan and sincerely cares about it.
Over the years, I have watched the situation in Pakistan, analyzed it and have come to the conclusion that the problems of Pakistan can be solved by the people of Pakistan themselves provided they set aside emotions and self-interest. A country of about 150 million people facing so many dangers from within and without cannot afford to be hostage to the whims and caprices of anyone "” even elected leaders.
Sitting thousands of miles away but emotionally present in Pakistan, I feel that the time has come for everyone to rise up and confront the danger, reject revenge, put aside personal ambitions, remove malice and enter into a new phase of reconciliation.
I read in the papers here of calls for the impeachment of President Pervez Musharraf. I read of statements saying he will not be granted safe passage. I read of charge sheets being prepared against him by hitherto unknown politicians. I also read about the president calling for reconciliation.
I tell you in all honesty that Pakistan does not have the luxury of time or money to embark on an impeachment move. Neither is it the time to focus on such divisive issues. Suddenly political pundits and inexperienced lawmakers are seen making statements. They talk about the interest of Pakistan. What interest, I ask them. It is good for the ego to get 15 minutes worth of fame by talking to a local television network or The Washington Post.
HOWEVER, it is more difficult to show generosity and tolerance by reaching out and closing ranks, and history is full of such examples.
And I will start with our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who forgave all his enemies. It was he who told the Archangel Gabriel that he would forgive all those who threw stones at him in Taif. Let us honor ourselves by following him.
Let us take a great man of our time "” Nelson Mandela. After 27 years in prison, he spoke of truth and reconciliation. Mandela sat with Pik Botha, who served as South Africa's foreign minister in the last years of the apartheid era, immediately after his release and helped guide South Africa to its promising future. After the black majority came to power, Mandela's followers did not go on a rampage. They did not burn or loot. Mandela commanded respect.
I asked him was there any rancor or hate in his heart for those who oppressed him and his people. He replied that South Africa was too important for him to feel anger. Imagine what would have happened if Mandela had taken the road of personal revenge.
Another example is that of Gerald Ford who took over a divided America after the Watergate scandal and issued a presidential pardon to Richard Nixon. This was done primarily to heal the nation. Ford had America's interests at heart. Asked if he wanted to be a great president, Ford replied: "No, I would like to be a good president."
Here in the US, the political clash between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton reached volcanic proportions. Bitter words were exchanged, and it was more of a political boxing match. But once the delegates decided who should be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee, Obama and Clinton made up. And, in fact, he insisted her name be on the nominee ballot at the Democratic National Convention.
Such are the qualities of which statesmen are made, and I am sure that both of you possess these qualities and have the interests of Pakistan at heart. This is a country where a lot of sacrifice has been made. It is important that a mockery not be made of the thousands of martyrs who gave their blood for a homeland for the Muslims of the Subcontinent.
I see many Pakistanis; many are my friends; others I meet in my travels, and I hear their cries as they worry about what is going on in their beloved land. Many have lost all hope. They see deterioration in institutions and in every walk of life. Yes, they say they are tired of the blame game. Please do not use terms like "military dictatorship" and "awami hukumat" (people's government), they say. We are tired. We want to get on with our lives.
One Pakistani doctor told me yesterday that he was appalled by conditions back home. Another said he had not gone home in the last 22 years, and I asked him if there was an elected government during this period. "What are you talking about?" he replied with a wave of his hand. He concluded by saying: "No one has any commitment to any principle or willing to do anything for the larger good of the country."
I told him he was wrong; there are those who live in Pakistan who do care. And I know that both of you do as well. I pray to Allah that you will continue to do so. What are needed are leaders who do not leave a legacy of fire and blood "” but of peace and prosperity.
Your challenges are numerous "” terrorism, crime, illiteracy and economic slide. The rupee was 74 to the dollar on the eve of Pakistan's Independence Day.
These are the challenges "” not to be contained and confronted but to be totally eliminated. Let us all do a little bit of honest soul-searching and review our own past and rectify mistakes committed. We will turn out better if we learn from it.
Pakistanis cannot afford agitation. As Stephen Cohen, a South Asian scholar at the Brookings Institution in Washington said, "So many things have been broken in this country. You wonder if they can fix them." Yes, they can be fixed using Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's motto of unity, faith and discipline.
The people of Pakistan urge you to start now.
|