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Former president Pervez Musharraf has resigned as the chairman of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), according to the new party chairman, Dr Mohammad Amjad.
Dr Amjad told DawnNewsTV that Musharraf had tendered his resignation to the party on June 18 due to the Peshawar High Court's 2013 verdict which had disqualified him from politics for life.
That verdict has been challenged on Musharraf's behalf in the Supreme Court, which had issued a directive earlier this month allowing him to file his nomination papers only if he returned and was present in the court hearing on June 13 in Lahore, cautioning that the fate of the papers would be subject to the final decision in the present case.
Read more: SC gives Musharraf time until tomorrow, wonders why the 'commando' is 'so afraid'
Although Musharraf's representatives had submitted his nomination papers for Chitral's NA-1 seat, the former military ruler failed to return to Pakistan after which the SC withdrew its directive allowing nomination papers to be filed.
Musharraf explained that he had put off his return after the SC order forced him to change his mind.
Speaking to journalists via video link, the former president said the apex court order "barring the authorities from arresting me till my appearance before the august court has forced me to rethink my plans about return".
"There will be no benefit of my return to the country if I am arrested just after my appearance before the court," he said.
"The entire world knows that I am not a coward, but now I will wait for an appropriate time to return," he claimed.
Subsequently, Musharraf resigned from APML chairmanship, and also sent his resignation to the Election Commission of Pakistan.
After he stepped down, the party's Central Executive Committee elected Dr Amjad as their new leader, with Mehreen Malik Adam set to serve as secretary general.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (78) Closed
Jun 22, 2018 12:00pm
Man of Ethics.
Not like NS or FS who hand to be forced out.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:09pm
Good, now enjoy your retirement period
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Jun 22, 2018 12:28pm
atleast he backed out when he felt his time was up. normally people of his stature are forced out of their positions
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Jun 22, 2018 12:32pm
@GHALIBJEEE is it ? 2103 he got disbarred. and 2018 , 5 years later he accepts the verdict while still hiding in Dubai. How much more can a coward act like a coward to finally call him a coward?
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Jun 22, 2018 12:34pm
"Coward" does not even begin to describe him.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:36pm
With resignation, it's ends Pervaz Musharraf's political career for ever. The recent interview highlighted his state of mind and deteriorating health!
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Jun 22, 2018 12:37pm
It was inevitable. His name and his party will perish.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:38pm
Finally he made the right decision.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:39pm
I hope he stops this desire to return to politics and enjoys his retired life.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:40pm
Coward is the only appropriate word!
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Jun 22, 2018 12:41pm
He will be remembered as the best he gave to Pakistan
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Jun 22, 2018 12:43pm
He is not a soldier anymore, come to Pakistan and face what you have done
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Jun 22, 2018 12:44pm
Smart Move.
Useless to stake your reputation against liars and cheaters.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:44pm
Great decision sir. You have served the country honorably in all positions. Your decision not to return seems a wise one. And your resignation from party chairmanship is the right one too. I salute you and wish you peace and prosperity.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:49pm
Unfortunate. Patriots are being denied justice whereas plunderers of wealth & those who comprise our national security are roaming freely.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:54pm
How many members does this party have?
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Jun 22, 2018 12:57pm
How many members n workers he has in his Party??
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Jun 22, 2018 12:58pm
Its about high time the Pakistani Govt stop its revenge tactics and let Musharraf come and spend the rest of his life in the Land.
It is a shame to say that this revenge culture is embedded in the Pakistani culture. Let by gone be by gone its all water under the bridge.
Its high time the ruling class start working for the betterment for the people, start by education.
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Jun 22, 2018 12:59pm
Good decision. No one on earth can change the destiny of Pakistan. Pakistan will ever be ruled by corrupt people.
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Jun 22, 2018 01:11pm
Well played.
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Jun 22, 2018 01:12pm
The good patriotic people are kept out of politics while the crooked are allowed to be in.
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Jun 22, 2018 01:14pm
We do not deserve brave men like you who has serverd the country well. We deserve Nawaz/Maryam Sharif and Zardari/Bhutto.
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Jun 22, 2018 01:15pm
Sensible move .....he was only disgracing himself by trying to remain in the political spotlight.
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Jun 22, 2018 01:22pm
"The entire world knows that I am not a coward, but now I will wait for an appropriate time to return," he claimed - is it just me or does this sound like a Trump brag/lie?
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Jun 22, 2018 01:30pm
Good bye
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Jun 22, 2018 01:56pm
Smart move.
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Jun 22, 2018 01:59pm
It is a quote" Generals never die ,they just fade away". Dear Gen. Musharraf you have played your role and history will judge it. Now that you have made a decision to resign ,enjoy your retirement. pakistanis have moved on..
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Jun 22, 2018 02:05pm
General Parvaiz Musharraf is a great and honest man. Nation misses your leadership Sir. Sir, look where we were under your leadership and where we stand now.
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Jun 22, 2018 02:44pm
Good decision.This was the hourable way for him.
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Jun 22, 2018 02:44pm
Politics is no gentlemen's profession in our country.
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Jun 22, 2018 03:06pm
number one bluffmaster, he want to remain in limelight by giving provocative statements, he need to understand that he is an old weak person, just relex and enjoy the wealth you maased when ruled pakistan,
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Jun 22, 2018 03:23pm
What other options does he has at this crucial juncture in time and history to save his skin, stay afloat and remain in the limelight?
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Jun 22, 2018 03:33pm
Excellent move. Now PML-N and other mafias must be in a fix.
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Jun 22, 2018 03:39pm
Enjoy your longterm holiday in Dubai, life is too short to worry about.
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Jun 22, 2018 03:39pm
Pervaiz Musharraf has followed a really good democratic way by resigning and handing power to the next man. Had Nawaz Sharif stepped down then, his case would not have gone so far. Pervaiz Musharraf should one day come back and stand trial to clear his name.
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Jun 22, 2018 03:47pm
Being myself a supporter of a political party other than yours, I must say that when you took over power in 1999 the country faced similar financial crisis due to the policies of the same party responsible for the current one. Back then you did manage not only to resolve the financial crisis but also created a favorable balance of payment for two years in a row, which never happened again.
I will remember you for that
Thanks PM
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Jun 22, 2018 03:48pm
A sad day as Musharraf was the only politician who raised voice against Indian atrocities! He should make a come back.
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Jun 22, 2018 04:04pm
Enable to clear himself of charges, he doesn't want to come. He can be termed brave only be comes back and fights cases against him. He will never have appropriate time for coming back, because charges are such that he will be arrested as soon as he lands on any airport of Pakistan.
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Jun 22, 2018 04:13pm
He resigned so that he does not have to come to Pakistan. Moreover he is banned for any gov. Post.
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Jun 22, 2018 04:39pm
This is correct move now start writing further books.
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Jun 22, 2018 04:43pm
He is coward.. accept it!
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Jun 22, 2018 04:45pm
Great visionary president. Thank you for your great leadership. Enjoy your retirement. Thank you for your service as a president of Pakistan and army chief.
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Jun 22, 2018 04:49pm
Commando escapes.
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Jun 22, 2018 04:51pm
Well done Musharraf. You are great.
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Jun 22, 2018 04:54pm
How many seats his party had in the last Parliament, probably zero. So what is the big deal.
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Jun 22, 2018 05:18pm
why did he bother to write his resignation. does his party matter at all?
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Jun 22, 2018 05:25pm
good for him, wish you all the best. you have done the right thing, now enjoy your life. you have done great things for Pakistan.
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Jun 22, 2018 05:34pm
Good that he resigned as he has no credibility left with majority of Pakistani public.
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Jun 22, 2018 05:54pm
We as citizens must not get emotional and get carried away by designating any as national heroes.
You know who are our heroes in armed forces?
Those spoye, small rank soldiers who actually fights and lay their lives for the country but we seldom know their names.
These big generals just order from behind their desks.
In USA you read that lowest rank soldiers get awarded.
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Jun 22, 2018 06:22pm
Not bad end but yes a Cowardice end of Political carrier of Gen. Mush.Things turned up against him just in talks and without any action.
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Jun 22, 2018 06:36pm
General Pervez Musharraf had served the country for 40 years in war and peace with distinction. Now he can retire with dignity, as politics in our country is mean and dirty. He is greatly respected around the world, even in India. He could still serve the country as an elder statesman by his vast experience and wisdom. We wish him all the best.
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Jun 22, 2018 06:41pm
A step in right direction. But history proved that Gen(rtd) Pervez Musharraf caught the real person 27 years back, and today SC is checking the same person for money laundering, and disqualified him for life. The General Sahab did more goods to nation & less bads. The USD remained affordable, the inflation under control, economic indicators were good. But today we are moving directionless, and no good governance. The old Governors are recruiting their relatives,friends, at key posts, the interim caretakers are cashing their opportunities, the courts are overloaded by petitions, SC lacks number of judges to dispose thousands of pending cases, some extra and swift steps are needed to tackle huge mess.
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Jun 22, 2018 06:45pm
I always wished this man coming to politics from front door. He is more capable then all of current political elite.
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Jun 22, 2018 06:46pm
After 5 years he resigned, well done commando!!
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Jun 22, 2018 06:46pm
@Ahsan Gul "Good that he resigned as he has no credibility left with majority of Pakistani public." That is reserved for Nawaz Sharif, Zardari etc.
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Jun 22, 2018 07:02pm
Bad end of a relatively much better person than many........
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Jun 22, 2018 07:11pm
@BAXAR - no Shrief and Zardari are the worst that Pakistan has. Pakistan is still looking for a leader who will put country first.
Tell me why would all these people have abode and properties overseas? Isn’t Pakistan good enough for them to stay and invest?
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Jun 22, 2018 07:11pm
Always remember you. Your change the shape of Karachi, which always been ignore by every govt,
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Jun 22, 2018 07:14pm
You were a Commando then why such a quick exit?
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Jun 22, 2018 07:19pm
ultimately he proved himself what he is worth
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Jun 22, 2018 07:30pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani
He had no political career. Everybody knows his career, if ONLY he himself knew it!
Usurpers have nothing to do with politics. A usurper’s best bid is to be thrown out by another usurper
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Jun 22, 2018 07:43pm
Coward
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Jun 22, 2018 08:21pm
The tragedy is that no one says the truth about him that he was and is responsible for selling Pakistan and its people to the U.S.A. That we and our coming generations will continue to pay the price for his committed follies and blunders is becoming evident with every passing day. As for his party, it was a liability on his pocket. He is least bothered by getting rid of the same.
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Jun 22, 2018 08:31pm
Coward.
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Jun 22, 2018 09:23pm
Best decision by great leader Pakistan doesn't deserve true partiot hard worker and honest man like musharaf we like thrives and family dominated king type politicians who looted us and then again rule on us and we happily elected them again and again
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Jun 22, 2018 09:33pm
As history tells us repeatedly that in fact - dictators are COWARDS. Musharraf is no exception - he had already proved his "courage" when he RAN away instead of facing the trials.
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Jun 22, 2018 09:45pm
@sameer There is a marked distinction between good judgment and being a coward. You make a move when the time is right. You don't foolishly walk into your adversaries trap.
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Jun 22, 2018 09:55pm
@GHALIBJEEE
What kind of ethics is that one is running from courts nd making mockery of law?
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Jun 22, 2018 10:17pm
@simran :Uninformative, No wealth was amassed during his rule,Wealth was accumulated after his tenure
ended and he left Pakistan through his qualities of being able to speak on the world stage,he is the only pakistani leader who has vast knowledge of Pakistan and can lecture on it.
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Jun 22, 2018 10:23pm
Election commission of Pakistan was causing a hindrance,that is why Genaral Musharraf for now has resigned,not for life,he still has a role in his party for all the people who don't know the facts and follow his interviews every week.
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Jun 22, 2018 10:26pm
@M. Siddique :boycotted the election,one should do some research,before posting a statement.
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Jun 22, 2018 10:32pm
@Hera :uninformative resigned due to election commission of pakistan hindrance,interim government still has remnants of Pmln.
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Jun 22, 2018 10:39pm
Regardless of elections he is better advised to come and prove the court that he is innocent.
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Jun 23, 2018 12:33am
Mr. Musharaf made the right decision, it is time for him to rest and enjoy his life. It is very sad to say that lots of people in Pakistan are thankless and bios, they forget the booming economy during Musharaf era , freedom of press with fifty new TV channels and women who were given the rights they never had before.
I wish you best of luck Mr. Musharaf.
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Jun 23, 2018 03:10am
a brave man walk away with dignity
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Jun 23, 2018 04:04am
So who is left to run the organization? AFAIK he was the Chairman and the only member.
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Jun 23, 2018 05:12am
Have enough money now to relax, tried to gain power again but too much hassle.
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Jun 23, 2018 09:00am
@K Niaz, if Pervez Musharaf who fought wars with india, challenged and defeated Indian Army at Kargil is a coward then every Pakistani can be labelled a coward including yourself.
By the way did you ever picked up a gun or tried to join Pakistan armed forces.???
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