Jamali's exit exposes weakness of Pak democracy: Analysts

The resignation was "forced" and raises concerns about the stability of the civilian rule restored after three years of military dictatorship, they said.

Jamali announced his resignation at a meeting of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and its parliamentary allies late Saturday.

"I have decided to resign immediately in the interest of the country and the party," he said.

He also announced the dissolution of the cabinet and nomination of PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain as his interim successor, to be followed some two months later by outgoing finance minister Shaukat Aziz.

Aziz, a former Citibank official, credited for taking the country out of economic crisis, is considered a close confidant of Musharraf.

Political analyst Hassan Askari said Jamali simply obeyed Musharraf.

"He stepped down under instruction from the presidential house. The parliament and the ruling coalition had no role in effecting this change," Askari told AFP.

"The change confirms the president's centrality to the political process and his ability to manipulate it according to his wishes."

Askari said there was no obvious justification for the removal of Jamali, who was hand-picked by Musharraf.

"There was no political crisis and there was no revolt in the party," he said.

"This exposes the weakness and hollowness of the civil institutions established after the 2002 elections."

Jamali was elected in November 2002 in the first polls after three years of military rule by Musharraf, who seized power by toppling the elected government of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif on October 12, 1999.

He stressed that his government was unblemished. "There is no charge on me or my cabinet colleagues. My intention was pious and my conscience is clear."

However, the burly 60-year old tribal elder from poor Baluchistan province was seen by many as docile and overshadowed by Musharraf, who is also the chief of the army.