Smash hit

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of the late Benazir Bhutto, hailed the departure as payback for the assassination last year of Ms Bhutto, a former Prime Minister and head of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). “After the martyrdom of my mother I said that democracy was the best revenge - and today it was proved true,” said the 19-year-old, a student at Oxford.

Even the military tacitly approved the resignation, anxious to prevent an undignified impeachment process. Under the constitution, Muhammad Mian Soomro, head of the Senate, becomes acting President until a new one is elected within 30 days.

The concern is that the resignation will reignite the rivalry between the PPP, which leads the government, and its main partner, the Pakistan Muslim League (N), which is led by Nawaz Sharif, whom Mr Musharraf toppled from the premiership in 1999.

Asif Ali Zardari, Ms Bhutto’s widower, was meeting Mr Sharif last night to discuss issues including how to treat Mr Musharraf. “The agenda is open,” a PPP spokesman told The Times. “There is disagreement between the parties and within the parties.”

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The PPP favours granting Mr Musharraf immunity from prosecution and probably gave him verbal assurance to that effect in recent days. Mr Sharif wants him to stand trial for treason - which carries the death penalty; and that demand could gain traction if the Government reinstates the dismissed judges, as it has pledged to do. Mr Musharraf dismissed them after imposing emergency rule to ensure his reelection as President.

There is talk that both Mr Zardari and Mr Sharif want the top job, but with neither likely to agree to the other’s election, they are expected to choose a compromise candidate. Only after that is resolved can the Government hold an election. The president is chosen by the national parliament and the provincial legislatures.

The Government then faces the daunting task of tackling Pakistan’s security and economic problems, especially inflation and power shortages.

Mr Musharraf said in his address that he was resigning only to avoid an impeachment process that would harm the nation. He was later shown inspecting a guard of honour outside the white marble presidential palace in Islamabad, before being whisked away in a limousine.

He admitted making mistakes, but said he always put Pakistan first, and blamed his opponents for the country’s violence and economic woes. “I pray the Government stops this downsliding and take the country out of this crisis,” he said. “May God protect Pakistan, may God protect you all. Long live Pakistan forever.”

Responding to his departure, both US presidential candidates underscored Pakistan’s crucial role in the War on Terror. Barack Obama said that the general had “made the right decision” in stepping down, but added: “I have long said that the central terrorist threat to the United States lies in northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan, and not Iraq. US policy must focus on assuring that all elements of Pakistan’s Government are resolute in shutting down the safe havens for al-Qaeda and the Taleban.”

John McCain also cautiously welcomed the resignation, but added: “The situation in Pakistan’s frontier regions requires immediate and continued attention, and I hope that the elections for President Musharraf’s successor will serve to reconcile the Pakistani people behind a leader who can solidify their Government internally.

“It is critical that the United States continue to work with the Pakistani people and their Government to tackle the many challenges we both face.”

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