S Asia media welcomes resignation

One paper said Mr Musharraf's rule was 'the darkest period' in Pakistan

The media in Pakistan and India have welcomed former president Pervez Musharraf's resignation, and said Pakistan should move on quickly now to solve its long-standing problems.

Mr Musharraf stepped down on Monday after nine years in power to avoid a move by the government to impeach him.

Pakistani papers said Mr Musharraf's resignation was a foregone conclusion.

The Daily Times said that Mr Musharraf has gone from the political scene of Pakistan "for a number of reasons - foremost being his gradually weakening legitimacy at the head of the political order".

The News said Mr Musharraf's failure to "set aside the rose-tinted spectacles he has been wearing now for years also led to his difficulties in accepting opposition or obstacles in his power".

"Politicians who have dealt with Musharraf, both those who form a part of the present government and those with a role at the national level in previous times, speak of the former army chief's condescending and sometimes derisive style in dealing with those who dared to differ," the newspaper said.

"The gradual eviction of such persons from the corridors of power may well have contributed to Musharraf's growing megalomania."

The Nation said it "was no surprise to see him [Mr Musharraf] take credit for incorporating what he called the essence of democracy into the system".

"But he must be economising on truth when he claimed that he had always decided important matters by taking all stakeholders on board," the newspaper said.

'Crucial innings'

"There would be few takers for his view since the nation had hardly seen him consulting the PM or his cabinet."

Pakistan Observer said that Mr Musharraf has a "lot to be satisfied and happy as he played a crucial innings in the chequered history of the country".

"He steered the country out of successive crises successfully and Musharraf-Shaukat [Aziz] duo brought the economy on rail because of a number of prudent policy measures."

Mr Musharraf denied being an enemy of democracy

The Post said that with Mr Musharraf's resignation, "one of the darkest periods in the country's history has come to an end".

"Riding on the coat tails of the US, he ruled the country through the façade of a democracy he invented to dupe his foreign allies into lapping up his despotism hook, line, and sinker," the newspaper said.

"Playing upon the post 9/11 insecurity of the US and the world at large, he used the war against terrorism as a device to mutilate everything remotely resembling constitutionalism."

Dawn newspaper said that after the removal of Mr Musharraf "the field is open for the politicians to address the most pressing problems facing the nation".

"Determining what the priorities ought to be is not difficult: militancy, the economy and relations with India and Afghanistan need to be addressed urgently," the newspaper said.

Dawn, however, warned that the "solutions, however, may prove more elusive".

"Indeed the nature of the problems is such that they may get worse before they get better. But at the very least the politicians must show the same purpose and focus in dealing with these problems that they have demonstrated in taking on the president."

'Lasting contribution'

Across the border, in India, Mr Musharraf's resignation made headline news.

He's Gone, said Hindustan Times

"Even though it is beset with its own problems at the moment, it is in India's interest to lend a helping hand in this process of getting Pakistan back on its feet," the newspaper said.

Indian papers said the peace process should continue

The Hindu said New Delhi "cannot overlook the contribution General Musharraf made towards stabilising and improving the relationship between India and Pakistan - learning perhaps from the Kargil misadventure".

"His most lasting contribution may well be the process of India-Pakistan detente, which needs to be taken forward resolutely."

The Indian Express said New Delhi's "sceptics would wonder whether Musharraf's ouster was part of a deal between the government and the army to maintain the latter's primacy on key national security issues".

"If that turns out to be true, ties with Pakistan might get a lot worse before they can get better."

The Times Of India said Mr Musharraf's departure was an "opportune moment for Pakistan to set its house in order".

"Musharraf's exit is only the beginning of the road to re-stablised and fully democratic Pakistan, not the end."