Will Musharraf Resign and Seek Exile in Saudi Arabia?

  • Context: News 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Gokul43201
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Relationship
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the resignation of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and the potential implications for Pakistan's political landscape and its relationships, particularly with the United States and India. Participants explore the uncertainty surrounding the future leadership and the geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Musharraf's resignation was confirmed amidst speculation about his potential exile to Saudi Arabia, with conflicting reports from aides and presidential spokespeople.
  • There is concern about the future actions of the incoming president, with some expressing hope for a sensible approach to governance, particularly regarding nuclear policy.
  • Participants discuss the historical context of US-Pakistan relations, with some suggesting that the new leadership may need to prioritize public sentiment over foreign alliances.
  • One participant argues that a healthy relationship with India could reduce Pakistan's reliance on US support, while others highlight the complexities of the Kashmir issue as a barrier to peace.
  • There are suggestions for a public election in Kashmir to determine its future, with calls for UN supervision to ensure fairness.
  • Some express skepticism about the current coalition's ability to govern effectively post-Musharraf, predicting fragmentation and power struggles among political factions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the future of Pakistan's political situation and its international relations. There is no consensus on the best path forward, particularly regarding the Kashmir issue and the role of external powers in facilitating peace.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical events and political dynamics without reaching a definitive resolution on the implications of Musharraf's resignation or the future direction of Pakistan's governance and foreign policy.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in South Asian politics, international relations, and the historical context of US-Pakistan and India-Pakistan relations may find this discussion relevant.

Gokul43201
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
7,213
Reaction score
25
If you've been following the news recently, you are probably aware that Gen. Musharraf faces the threat of impeachment - a big reason for his not attending the Olympics in Beijing.

But it may be a lot worse than that. According to Newsweek:
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is expected to resign Monday and fly into exile in Saudi Arabia, where he is to remain for the next three months, a former aide to the president has told NEWSWEEK on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The aide added that the news had been relayed to the nation's top military brass, including its powerful corps commanders. Though a current aide to Musharraf confirms that the president will resign, officially, Musharraf's camp denies the story. "Your source is a liar," retired Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi, a presidential spokesman, told NEWSWEEK when asked about the president's resignation and possible flight into exile. "The information you have is absolutely untrue."
http://www.newsweek.com/id/153869That's only a day away. We'll know pretty soon, I guess.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why can't we exile our failed politicians? :(
 
Apparently Musharraf has resigned. It's not clear at present where he will go next.
http://news.yahoo.com/story//nm/20080818/wl_nm/pakistan_politics_dc
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Nuclear-armed Pakistan's beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation on Monday in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government.

The former army chief and firm U.S. ally has seen his popularity slide over the past 18 months and has been isolated since his allies lost a February election.

"After consultations with legal advisers and close political supporters and on their advice, I'm taking the decision of resigning," Musharraf said a televised address.

"My resignation will go to the speaker of the National Assembly today."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
wow...what do you think the coming president will do?
 
AhmedEzz said:
wow...what do you think the coming president will do?

Let us hope he uses good sense. Pakistan is a nuclear weapons holder. I am definitely in favor of their not using same on anyone.
 
I meant regarding US-Pakistan relationship. I have a Pakistani friend who says that Pakistani's were let down by the US in their war with India. Moreover, they don't feel that the US has benifited them as much as they hepled with Bush's "war on terror".

Do you think he'll maintain the relations with the US or will he try to win over the people?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I feel he should go with his people. I am from India and whatever news i heard here says that the common people in pakistan want a healthy relationship with India. So, by going with people, he can tackle the indo-pak problem and then with India on his side, Pak won't need much assistance from US in majority of situations.
 
To have normal relations with India means that they have to give-up Kashmir, which is a matter of national pride for both nations. I think the best solution,however,is to have a public election where the people of the state gets to choose which country they want to be part of. India & Pakistan are spending a great % of their budget on weapons (espeically Pakistan which spends about 50+% of its total budget on the military). Peace or normal relations would benifit both nations very much.
 
I agree with the solution. Probably UN can supervise the election procedure, so that there is no risk of partiality or cheating. Actually, I think when the division was done in 1947, J & K was under some king and the king had decided to merge it in India. Somebody please correct me on the above point if I'm wrong.
 
  • #10
you are right , I think but this is not the case now. Same with Palestine and Israel, if we are going to go back adn say "this event happened xx years ago and that is why we are right and you wrong" , this attitude is not going to get you anywhere. There should be pressure from EU, US and UN on this issue, but there's isn't because I think that no one wants peace in the world. US has a policy of feeding "low-intensity" conflicts.
 
  • #11
The political situation in Pakistan also doesn't seem very good. The present coalition is not very strong and there's a fair enough chance the two parties will fight to take control over the kashmir issue. So its very important a neutral group(UN or something like that, which is respected by both nations) takes command over the situation.
 
  • #12
AhmedEzz said:
wow...what do you think the coming president will do?

The coming president won't do much of anything. The current governing coalition will fracture shortly after Musharraf leaves office, with the resulting factions all vying to fill the power vacuum, and nothing much getting done in the way of governance or policy. It's the next president after that who might actually do something.