Pakistan’s president has resigned to avoid impeachment charges, he told the nation during a televised speech.

Musharraf under mounting pressure to resign in face of possible impeachment

But Pervez Musharraf insisted that accusations against him “won’t stand”.

The ruling coalition has prepared charges against Mr Musharraf, focusing on violation of the constitution and misconduct.

But the president rejected the charges saying: “Not a single charge in the impeachment can stand against me.

“No charge can be proved against me because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan.”

Mr Musharraf defended his record as president, saying that Pakistan had always been his priority and that his intention was to save the country from crisis.

But he added: “Unfortunately, some elements acting for vested interests levelled false allegations against me and deceived people.”

The president defended his policies, saying that he had worked in “good faith” in the face of challenges.

“They said that during the last nine years our economic problems and electricity shortages were due to our policies. It is absolutely wrong and deception for the country,” he said.

“They never realised that they could be successful against me, but they never thought how detrimental it would be for the country.”