PAKPAC STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT MUSHARRAF'S RESIGNATION

Tuesday August 19th, 2008: The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) welcomes President Pervez Musharraf's decision to step down as the President of Pakistan. This decision brings about a peaceful end to the political chaos of the past few months in Pakistan.  We commend President Musharraf in making this difficult choice and saving the people of Pakistan and the elected political government from focusing on impeachment process and the political wind falls and partisanship associated with it.

PAKPAC acknowledges the critical and difficult decisions made by President Musharraf in 2001 immediately post September 11th attacks in the US. His role at that time has helped bring about a better understanding to the international community on the need of investment in the education and health care and infrastructure of Pakistan. For some of his decisions he has remained one of the top targets of the extremist groups in Pakistan.

President Musharraf served as a strong President for Pakistan, but we hope for establishment of strong institutions rather than strong individuals, which we believe are a key to strong and lasting democracy for Pakistan.

This move should leave the Pakistani civilian government to focus their efforts in fighting current economic and energy crisis; enhancing the quality of life of Pakistanis; strengthening the judiciary and democratic institutions, reforming law enforcement agencies and improving security conditions; and combating terrorism and extremism.

Pakistan clearly is going through a very important era in its history and this also a time of great opportunity to focus on ways and means to work on improving the future of the people of Pakistan. We hope and pray for the stability and unity in Pakistan.