ISLAMABAD, 29 November 2007 — An emotional Pervez Musharraf stepped down as Pakistan’s army chief yesterday. At a simple change of command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Musharraf handed over the baton of command for the nuclear-armed military to Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani at a farewell parade. Musharraf’s move came a day before he becomes a civilian president, as he gave up the army job after tremendous domestic and international pressure. “The system continues, people come and go, everyone has to go, every good thing comes to an end, everything is mortal,” a tearful Musharraf told top brass and government leaders. In his farewell address, Musharraf said the army was his “life” and he was proud to have been the commander of this “great force”.
Dressed in Services Dress (SD) uniform, Gen. Musharraf arrived at the ceremony with a baton under his left arm. On his arrival, he was greeted by Gen. Kiyani and later inspected a guard of honor.
In his emotional speech, he said: “This army is my life, my passion. I love this army, and this relationship will continue, although I will not be in uniform.”
“I am fortunate to have commanded the best army in the world. This army is an integrating force, the savior of Pakistan,” he said. “Without this army, the entity of Pakistan cannot exist.”
Musharraf expressed full faith in the ability of his successor, Kiyani, to lead the force. “He’s an excellent soldier and I can say with full confidence that under his command, the armed forces will reach great heights,” Musharraf said.
“After remaining in uniform for 46 years I am saying goodbye to this army. I have loved this army,” the 64-year-old former commando, said as he dabbed at his eyes behind his glasses at one point and lifted a handkerchief to his nose after his speech.
The opposition parties of ex-Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif welcomed the resignation. They are both mulling their participation in a Jan. 8 general election they say can’t be fair under emergency rule that Musharraf imposed on Nov. 3. “It is a pleasant moment in the history of Pakistan. Now our army will get a full-time general as its leader,” Benazir told reporters in Karachi. Musharraf’s power and influence in the country are bound to be diminished. The question is by how much. “Naturally, the support of the army, that’s what has been vital,” said a former army general, Mirza Aslam Beg.
Beg said he expected significant changes, beginning with more aggressive opposition demands to end emergency rule. Musharraf is due to address the nation today and he could use the occasion to end the emergency.
US President George W. Bush was pleased by the move. “The president certainly considers that to be a good step,” White House press secretary Dana Perino said. “President Musharraf followed through on his commitment to remove the uniform. It was significant for him.”
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it was an “important part of the process” toward restoring democracy but urged Musharraf to follow up by ensuring free and fair elections were held as planned.
— Additional input from agencies
