The countdown to President Musharraf’s ouster began during the week with the draft committee of the ruling coalition finalizing the charge sheet against him. Musharraf was accused of violating the constitution. The military operations in FATA and Balochistan, the iniquitous Lal Masjid incident, as well as charges of financial indiscretion were also leveled1. PML (N) chief Nawaz Sharif, addressing a gathering in Lahore on August 14, asserted that Musharraf had committed grave acts detrimental to Pakistan and therefore did not deserve to be granted a safe exit2.

Efforts to persuade President Musharraf to resign from his post bore fruit with Gen. Musharraf resigning on Aug 18. The government on its part had also contemplated the possibility of providing ‘blanket immunity’ to Musharraf if resigned, under article 248 of the constitution3.

Report noted that the United States intended to ensure that even if Musharraf was impeached, he should be permitted to stay in Pakistan in an ‘honourable’ way. US Ambassador to Pakistan, Anne Patterson, after discussions in Washington, reached Islamabad on August 164.

In other developments, violence in different part of the country continued. At least 36 people were killed in Parachinagar on August 16 as a result of clashes between two militant groups5. One group of militants reportedly entered the Kurram Agency from North Waziristan. On the same day, security forces killed at least eight militants in Swat when they were attacked in the course of search operations in the area6.

• 1. “Charge sheet finalised, says Sherry,” Daily Times, August 13, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\13\story_13-8-2008_pg1_3
• 2. Babar Dogar, “No safe exit for Musharraf: Nawaz,” The News, August 15, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 3. Irfan Ghauri, “Musharraf may get indemnity if resigns,” Daily Times, August 17, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\17\story_17-8-2008_pg1_1
• 4. Anwar Iqbal, “US wants ‘honourable’ stay for president in Pakistan,” Dawn, August 11, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/11/top2.htm
• 5. “Militants enter Kurram from North Waziristan; 36 dead,” Dawn, August 17, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/17/top3.htm
• 6. “Swat clashes leave 8 militants dead,” Daily Times, August 17, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\17\story_17-8-2008_pg1_6