Musharraf steps down

[Saracen]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7567451.stm

Well, I'll admit I didn't see that coming. I thought he'd stubborn it out.

Question is .... good news or bad news? I guess it'll depend who takes over .... and perhaps what behind-he-scenes influence he retains. After all, Putin stepped down (sort-of) too, but is he still the puppet-master pulling the strings?

[nichomach]

Putin stepped down because it was the best way to pay lip service to the Russian constitution whilst still (effectively) retaining most of the power; so he's now PM instead of President, which'd be a real demotion - if he hadn't transferred a lot of the powers to the PM's office... Musharraf's way more vulnerable than that - he's effectively hoping that a swift step aside'll mollify those who'd like to see him impeached.
The real question'll be will his successor turn out to be effective in reining in some of the more extremist-sympathetic elements in the military/intelligence spheres, or will they be more sympathetic to them, and less so to the West. If the latter, albeit that there have been whinges from across the pond regarding Musharraf's cooperation in the Great War on Terror (tm), they'll seem like nothing.

[shadowmaster]

Speaking from purely personal experience with his Government, I am glad he has resigned. I am surprised though I thought he would be stubborn and continue. He never really did much good for Pakistan economy wise, country is in a bit of mess at the moment. Staple food such as rice, vegetables, meat, has increased dramatically in price over the last couple of years which has really screwed the poor. Oh and adding to that, the pakistan cricket team has been useless in the 2 world cups he's been in power, so that never helps the situation

Dont know how much influence he will retain, he is no longer 'officially' in charge of the army, so one would hope he has lost that power. Second the lawyers, and judges want him lynched , so he wont be getting any support from there.

[awm]

I'm really glad to see him go. He seemed to be going in the direction of the nasty dictator with good relation with the West (and that's never gone well).

[Stewart]

After all, Putin stepped down (sort-of) too, but is he still the puppet-master pulling the strings?

Yup.