Musharraf quits, may retire to Jeddah | The man of many paradoxes

GOODBYE TO ALL THAT: Pakistan President Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday.

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Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Monday announced that he was resigning from his post in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government.

Musharraf announced his decision in a 75-minute televised speech in which he flayed attempts to impeach him but said he was avoiding confrontation for the sake of stability.

"No impeachment or charge-sheet can stand against me. But I think this is not the time for individual bravado—this is the time for serious thought. In the interest of the country, I have decided to resign,” he said.

“The resignation will reach the National Assembly Speaker shortly," the 65-year-old former army chief said in an emotional internationally televised address.

Sources told CNN-IBN that Musharraf’s speech was pre-recorded and he is likely to go to Jeddah as a state guest of Saudi Arabia. He would stay at the same palace where former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the man he deposed, stayed during his exile. Sources say that Musharraf won't face trial.

"I wanted to help the Government but they never listened to me. Now they want to impeach me. No charge will be proved against me. Impeachment will never be right for the country. Impeachment will be defeat to the country.”

“Keeping everything in mind, I have decided to resign. God was always kind (and) we faced every challenge. This day is important for me. I have to take an important decision.”

“I have fought two wars for Pakistan and still have enthusiasm for another.”

Musharraf asserted that all his decisions during his nine-year rule were in "national interest" as he recounted the "achievements" in all areas.

"Now, they want to impeach me. Are they afraid of my Constitutional powers? Impeachment and charge-sheet is Parliament's right. To give a reply is my right.

"No charge-sheet can stand against me. No charge can be proved against me. I have this much confident in myself because I have not done anything for myself. Whatever I have done, I have done for Pakistan, its people. Whatever the charge-sheet I have no fear," Musharraf said.

"But questions arise as to what impact the impeachment will have on the country. Whether the country will descend into further instability and confrontation. Whether the office of Presidency should come under pressure. Should it come under impeachment procedure?"

Musharraf showered praises on his rule saying that he had stalled moves to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and he had brought economic growth to the country.