Now Saudis offer dignified solution for Musharraf
Beleaguered President is given a lifeline to avoid impeachment
Sunday 17 August 2008
Related articles
Pervez Musharraf's endgame drama has taken a new twist after Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief flew to Pakistan to urge the President's political opponents to allow him a graceful exit from office.
Less than two days before Pakistan's government is scheduled to lay out impeachment charges against Mr Musharraf in parliament, Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz arrived in Islamabad to intervene on the beleaguered President's behalf. He urged the government to agree to a deal that would allow Mr Musharraf to avoid impeachment.
The intervention of Saudi Arabia could prove crucial. Along with the US and China, the Arabian kingdom – a major source of economic aid – has considerable influence in Pakistan. "Yes, Saudi intelligence chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz did visit Pakistan on Friday and met senior government officials," a senior government official told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "The main purpose of the visit was to find an amicable solution to the impeachment issue and that no one should become a laughing stock."
The stumbling block to agreeing a deal for Mr Musharraf's departure is the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the man whom the former general forced from power in a 1999 coup. Mr Sharif has insisted the President should not be granted immunity from prosecution.
Saudi Arabia has been closely linked to the long struggle between Mr Sharif and Mr Musharraf. Last year Prince Muqrin was again involved in Pakistan's politics when Mr Sharif returned from exile in Saudi Arabia to try to launch an election campaign, only to be immediately deported to Jeddah by Mr Musharraf.
The announcement 10 days ago by Pakistan's government, led by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), that it intended to impeach the President triggered furious speculation as to whether Mr Musharraf would choose to resign or else fight for his political life. While publicly insisting he will stay, many of Mr Musharraf's former allies have deserted him and intense negotiations are under way to broker a deal for him to stand down.
Chief among the President's concerns is to receive a cast-iron guarantee that he will not be prosecuted and will continue to receive round-the-clock security. But for a self-styled saviour of Pakistan who believes he has rescued the country over the past eight and a half years, much will depend on the manner in which his departure takes place.
Even at this stage Mr Musharraf could decide to stay and fight. His senior lawyer, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, said that prior to allegations of corruption, subversion of the constitution and economic mismanagement being levelled at him by the PPP, he may have been prepared to stand down. Now, said Mr Pirzada, he was preparing for battle. "Maybe before, he might have thought about stepping down but not now," he added.
Since seizing power in 1999, Mr Musharraf has cheated both physical and political death several times. If he survives this latest crisis, it will be his most surprising turn yet. As one of his close allies, Senator Mushahid Hussain, often says: "Musharraf is like a cat with nine lives and he has used eight of them."
-
In pictures: Saturn images from Cassini probe as it prepares to turn lens towards Earth
-
Serena Williams apologises after comment that rape victim 'shouldn't have put herself in that position'
-
New banker bonus boom: Payouts leapt 64% to new record when Chancellor George Osborne cut top-rate tax to 45p in April
-
'Theres something quite unpleasant going on': Nigel Farage confronted for second time on visit to Scotland
-
World news in pictures
- 1 Breaking the Silence: In the reality of occupation, there are no Palestinian civilians – only potential terrorists
- 2 Mike Ashley wants blood after last season's trauma at Newcastle - and it won't stop with Derek Llambias
- 3 Richard Nieuwenhuizen death: Six teenagers and 50-year-old father convicted of manslaughter in shocking case of referee killed over a game of football
- 4 Exclusive: Newcastle's star talent-spotter on brink as Joe Kinnear sparks walkout
- 5 Vast methane 'plumes' seen in Arctic ocean as sea ice retreats
How will you make today delicious?
Tell us how you plan to make today delicious and you could win a £50 M&S gift card.
Win a Nook® Simple Touch eReader
Find out how Nook® is supporting the Evening Standard's Get Reading campaign - and your chance to win one.
Free reading festival for families
Follow The Standard's campaign to get London's children reading - and experience this unique event at Trafalgar Square on 13 July.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
iJobs General
C++ Python Developer -Bank -London-Up to £600/day!
£550 - £600 per day: Orgtel: C++ Python Developer - Banking - London - Up to £...
KS2 Teacher Maternity Contract - September Start - Bromley
MPS + OLA: Randstad Education London: Randstad Education are working with a Cl...
KS2 Teachers wanted in South East London
£5520 - £31200 per annum: Randstad Education London: Randstad Education are lo...
PPA Teacher - SE London - September Start - Outstanding School
MPS + OLA: Randstad Education London: Randstad Education is working with a cli...
Day In a Page
Babies behind bars
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm
The art of living in small spaces
'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'
Can technology lure us back to the high street?







Comments