Brief summary of President Pervez Musharraf's speech delivered in Urdu language

http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/18/musharraf.htm

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: President Pervez Musharraf began his address to the nation at 13.13 PST at the President’s House, saying “Today is a day of an important decision for me.” The President said the "nation is aware of the crisis the country is going through". He said ‘when I assumed charge nine years ago the country was about to be branded a failed and a terrorist state. He said he assumed charge with the aim of rescuing the country. In the last nine years I have tried my best to serve the country to the best of my ability whether it was during confrontation with India, 9/11 and its aftermath or the devastating earthquake.’ 

"In handling the problems the sole aim was the well-being of the people and the safety and security of Pakistan." Defending himself, the President said, "I would like to put some facts before the nation, especially the economy. The economy was doing well, in fact very well before December 2007. GDP growth was 7 percent. Revenue collection had reached $1 trillion. The KSE index was around 15,000 points. All these indicators are of eight months ago. Pakistans economy was poised to take off. How did the economic problem start all of a sudden? Why has the stock exchange lost 5,000 points. Why has the rupee lost almost 30 percent of its value? 

Surely, the present economic crisis is owing to rising oil prices and similar other developments on a global basis. But it is wholly incorrect to put blame on these global factors alone. It is our own failures during the last 8 months. We were producing 14,000 MW in June 2007 but are now producing just about 10,000 MW. Let us now look forward to find solutions to take the country out of the woods. During the past nine years, we addressed all sectors and accelerated development in the country. In these 9 years , we constructed several roads and bypasses and worked on several other developmental projects. You can see for yourself how much we have done including all the dams that have been constructed (such as Mirani Dam). Several canals are also being constructed. These developments will help irrigate 3 million acre fields in the country. 

There was massive industrialisation during the last nine years. There was a lot done for higher education. Nine universities from different foreign countries agreed to set up campuses in the country. In the health sector primary and secondary healthcare was given priority. Safe drinking water was a sector that was addressed on priority and 6000 water purification plants set up. Women were given political empowerment and you see a lot more women in the assemblies. Honour killing was discouraged and Hudood Ordinance laws were revamped. The minorities were given opportunities and culture and heritage was given due importance. 

We incorporated the essence of democracy into the system through a highly progressive Local Bodies system. Anyone harming it will harm Pakistan. We held two successful general elections, We introduced Pakistans true image all over the world which proves the success of our policies. I’m proud of all the achievements. If you look at the donor’s conference, we were given 6.5 billion dollars in donations when we needed 5 billion. 

From the beginning, I wanted to create a reconciliatory atmosphere in Pakistans politics on a personal and institutional level. I talked about the 3-phase transition to democracy in Pakistan. The third phase was achieved last year when I doffed my uniform and held free and fair elections in Pakistan. After the elections, people had hopes from their leaders in the govt. Pakistanis have been looking forward prosperity and stability in the political atmosphere. 

It is unfortunate my appeals to strive for reconciliation and a resolution of economic issues facing the people went unheeded. Some sections of the political forces chose confrontation rather than reconciliation. The President’s office was accused of conspiring against the new democratic setup. You should remember it was I who held free and fair elections. Look at the PM’s election (and) the coalition setup in Sindh. The opposition cooperated with the government in getting the budget passed. I have publicly announced my support to the government, Unfortunately the coalition government thinks I am a problem and wants to impeach me. 

Impeachment and charge-sheet is the right of the Parliament. But I am confident that no charge can be proved against me. All my major decisions were with the consent of all concerned and all stake-holders, including bureaucracy, civil society, etc. I am not at all worried about the Charge-Sheet because nothing can be proved. But the larger issue is what is it going to cost Pakistan – its economy, political and social order, honour and prestige of the highest office of the state. Such are the considerations upper-most in my mind. 

Whether I’m impeached or not, the country’s stability will be compromised. The office of the president will also be insulted. Pakistan is my love; now and always, my life is for Pakistan. I have defended and will continue to defend Pakistan. I want to be able to bring Pakistan out of the current crisis so I think perhaps I should do something. But I also do not want to do something that may generate uncertainty in the country. I also want to save the Parliament from horse-trading. Even if the impeachment is defeated, the relations between the President’s office and the coalition govt. will not heal. Institutions will be endangered. Therefore, with this situation in view and having consulted my legal and political advisors, I have decided to resign from my post. 

I have decided to resign from the office of President and my resignation will be handed over to the Speaker of the National Assembly. I want the people to be the judges and let them decide my fate.