Musharaff’s resignation is being hailed as victory for Pakistani democracy, with many relieved that there will not be a protracted impeachment battle.

Despite Musharaff’s attempts at appearing to support democratic reform of late, the reality is that he is a man that seized power in 1999 when Pakistan’s military establishment deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a coup. That being the case, and given the power of that military establishment, I am not at all surprised that he has resigned without incident. In fact, I’ll go one better and dare to suggest that pressure to do so came from the military establishment itself.

Musharaff was a figurehead for the military establishment, one that can no longer afford the attentions garnered by having a direct connection to a political leader. Thus, sacrificing him provides them more room to maneuver, even though the outward appearance of democratic progress is being portrayed. As far as their silent grip on the nation is concerned, Musharraf’s resignation only stands to maintain it.

In the end he will most likely leave the country for Saudi Arabia. More on that later.