Rafiq Tarar forced to quit?

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 20. Did Muhammad Rafiq Tarar resign as Pakistan President or was he forced to quit to pave the way for Gen. Pervez Musharraf to step into his shoes?

This was the question uppermost in the minds of political observers and journalists as events unfolded at unbelievable speed here today.

A brief press statement put out by the military Government leaves little doubt that Mr. Tarar did not resign.

The first of the six-para statement announced that ``Mr. Muhammad Rafiq Tarar has ceased to hold the office of the President with immediate effect''.

The former President was conspicuous by his absence at the brief swearing-in ceremony of Gen. Musharraf.

A former High Court judge, Mr. Tarar was elected President in 1998 during the regime of Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his tenure in the normal course would have ended in January, 2003.

Reports said Mr. Tarar left his official residence around 2.30 p.m. and drove to his hometown of Lahore with his family, escorted by a police van.

There had been several press reports in the last few months suggesting that Gen. Musharraf was set to take over as President and today's developments could not have exactly surprised Mr. Tarar.

A few weeks ago Mr. Tarar was quoted as telling reporters in Lahore that he was in perfect health, leading to interpretations that perhaps it was a signal on his ability to carry on with the responsibilities of the President.

Hours before he left for Lahore, Gen. Musharraf called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (official residence of the President) and thanked him for the support he had extended him in the last 18 months.

Immediately after the meeting, Gen. Musharraf gave him a hug and Mr. Tarar left the official residence.

Pakistan Television quoted Gen. Musharraf as having told Mr. Tarar that he had no words to express his gratitude. The Chief Executive referred to the ``unflinching and principled support'' extended to him during the coup.

Gen. Musharraf told Mr. Tarar that he held him in ``high esteem'' and hoped that he (Mr. Tarar) would continue to guide him on matters of national importance.

Mr. Tarar on his part wished the General all the best and hoped he would succeed in his endeavour of making Pakistan prosperous.

In his brief speech after being sworn-in as President, Gen. Musharraf said, ``the ex-President has been a man of honour and dignity. We have had the best of working relationship. He has kept Pakistan's interest supreme and above his own self. I honour and respect him for that.''

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