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MASOOD: You know the way the pressure was building up on him and at the same time his support had completely dwindled and was practically non-existent except for a very close circle of lawyers and friends who were trying to sort of lead him into a wrong direction and telling him he could fight the case judicially and so on. And of course apart from his own legals nothing was there to support him anymore. So this was logical except that he would have liked to sort of land into a landmine by going into the proceedings.

LOPRESTI: What do you think was the clincher though? Do you think he got some last minute advice to step down?

MASOOD: Well I think even the military I think was very much responsible because they had sort of taken away the support so that was also a very major consideration. Then there was no political support left for him, all the provincial assemblies and the national assembly they're dead-set against him. So he had lost practically, there was no hope whatsoever that he could have ever won the numerical numbers. So all what he was trying was that some sort of graceful exit. But the graceful exit will only, the legacy will only be judged by history and that will take some time.

LOPRESTI: Well the government had said that the list of charges against him including a charge of treason, would be dropped if he resigned. Do you expect now those charges to be dropped?

MASOOD: Well I think as far as the government is concerned they have tried to get this assurance and this is sort of a part of a package deal, which has taken place and for which the foreign governments, the United States, Britain and Saudia Arabia had been acting as interlopers. So I think this is how this has come about so even if they had a lot of charges against him they think that now they have to drop it.

LOPRESTI: Well what now for Pervez Musharraf? Do you think he's likely to go into exile or do you think he's likely to stay in Pakistan?

MASOOD: I think for quite some time he'll have to leave the country because his security would be greatly in danger and it would be very difficult for him to live here for at least a few years or a few months for certain until the passions die down. And even then when he returns one has to be certain as to how his security could be ensured.

LOPRESTI: Finally I guess the broader issue right now is will this clear up the political situation in Pakistan? Can the coalition government now work together?

MASOOD: Well now it is a great challenge on the part of the coalition government to take the responsibility because they would have no excuses left. And so I think in a way it really confronts them with the challenges without President Musharraf. So there is no more of him trying to scapegoat their weaknesses. So I think now the civilian government will have to deliver and the people are watching and the civil society is very active.

LOPRESTI: And under the constitution a new president must be elected within 30 days. Who do you think will replace Pervez Musharraf?

MASOOD: Well I think they'll try to find a consensus although there is a possibility that Zardari might even offer himself. But one is hoping and expecting and I think this is the general demand of the people that he should be a person of stature who should be one who is respected.