Appearing on national television, he said that charges of violation of the constitution and gross misconduct he is facing would not stand and this was not the time for more confrontation.

Speaking today, former Burnley MP Mr Peter Pike said: "I am sorry to see President Musharrif has now stood down as President of Pakistan although this had become almnost inevitable. I met him several times both in the UK and Pakistan and believe he has done a lot of good work for Pakistan.

"Clearly he should have stood down as Head of the Armed Forces long before he did and he made a serious blunder last year trying to remove the Chief Justice from his position. While clearly he has made mistakes, I always found him a man of integrity who genuinely wished to do his best for his country."

Mr Musharraf has been a leading ally of America in its "war on terror" since he took power in 1999.

The main issue facing Pakistan now is whether its ruling coalition, which pressed for Mr Musharraf's departure since winning the February election, can stay united and deliver its promises to defeat militancy and terrorism.

President Musharraf said he had made the decision to resign after consulting his allies and advisers. He believed it was his destiny to save Pakistan, helped by God, and he had prevented it from being declared a terrorist state.

The outgoing president listed social, economic and infrastructural improvements made during his rule and concluded: "I leave myself in the hands of the people".

Crowds are reported to have celebrated Mr Musharraf's departure in the streets while US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised him as a "friend to the United States and one of the world's most committed partners in the war against terrorism and extremism".

The UK government wished Mr Musharraf well but stressed relations did not depend on one individual. Afghanistan, however, hoped his departure would "boost democracy".