You get different versions here in London… some very interesting, no matter how sad they are in nature…
A few month back, before the elections, a textile tycoon, a friend, a very ‘educated’ man from Lahore, sat with me at Leister Square’s ‘All Bar One’ and cursed both Benazir and Nawaz. ‘They should both be hung from the trees,’ he said. ‘Already textile exports have started to suffer, the cost of business is becoming more and more expensive – and these____ are now trying to create more problems for us, they want elections…’
I could understand his problem. Maintaining factories, houses in Defence Societies and expensive cars can be a very taxing exercise. One needs a status quo though also wishing for changes now and then albeit in areas of one’s likings… And I, sentimental man that I am, did not wish to lose his friendship – a very delicate thing friendship is anyway, more so when one is not doing well himself and thus does not seem to possess any credibility of thought, mind or wisdom.
I just did not want to remind him of the occasion when a serving Brigadier of Wapda had felt slighted by him a few years ago and had cut of his factory’s electric supply demanding a personal and somewhat humiliating apology from him in person before the factory could start functioning again… it was an ego issue as such – but then, after all, at this point in time, the factory did have electricity… and then instead of blaming, one should only praise the courage of these entrepreneurs who have directly and indirectly kept Pakistan going whether or not that had been their first intention…
A banker friend also visits London regularly. ‘You can’t imagine how much Pakistan has progressed since you left,’ he said – and which I took as a personal affront, as if I was the sole cause of the country’s economic woes in the past… ‘The kind of investments that are been placed in the banking industry are phenomenal,’ he said. And then, in the next breath he told me of the rising costs of living – that how much the servants’ salaries had gone up, the fuel prices as well though house generators now needed to be up and running almost all night long (though apparently everyone is yet driving Mercedes cars these days I was told..) ‘You know Amer,’ he said, ‘the cost of living in Pakistan is as high as London…’ ‘But what about the non-bankers – the poor…?’ I enquired. ‘Don’t worry, no one goes to bed hungry in Pakistan,’ he waved off my concern… though I did not understand how…
Coming back from work two days ago I stopped at Wembley to have some Nan Kabab at Kababish and there the man-behind- the-kebabs told me of the frantic call by a relative from Lahore, a 30 year old rickshaw driver, who said that he could not cope with the inflation and provide for his family and that he would prefer to rather kill himself and his wife and children instead.
‘Why does Musharaff not resign…?’ a white friend asked me. Turning to him I told him why… ‘It is a long standing tradition amongst people that have locked closets to not give up their seat of power, for much dirt and filth will come streaming out after they are gone and they would then not be in a position to counter against it…’
‘Whatever is happening in the country today is because of Musharaff and apart from the fact that there are personal wealth’s that need to be protected for as long as possible along with those of the other generals – so much else can come out into the open still…’ I told my white friend. ‘And thus there has to be someone in place to prevent it from coming out in the first place or at least counter it with whatever reduced powers that may be available at the time…’
But nevertheless it is still happening… times have changed and people are fed-up, gradually things are still coming out, people are not waiting – exactly what I had written about clearly quite a while ago… A Q Khan has spoken…
I remember watching Musharaff’s press conference on TV when he said in his famous Waheed Murad style that he has lost faith in mankind now that his ideal A Q Khan has faltered…
What a bull, I had thought, this man just does not know where to stop, Musharraf is a con man though a failed one at that – was my opinion and which is understandable since he is after all an extremely mediocre man…
One only needs to watch his press conference again… Musharaff said that he did not know that nuclear technology was being exported – and this is when he really did it this time round… Imagine, ISI even knows what judges do in their bedrooms but did not know that nuclear technology was being exported from the most protected facility in the country… and then Musharaff took it even further, he said that all that was needed was for the formulae to be written on a few pieces of paper that could be carried in a pocket…. (I mean, I have never heard such crap in my life…) All I know is that if this was the case then everyone would be nuclear armed today…
Again, never knowing where to draw a line, a common trait of a mediocre, Musharaff then answered the next question from a foreign journalist and which was bound to be next in any case after his verbal nonsense – Musharaff was asked about the fact that how come centrifuges marked ‘made in Pakistan’ were found in an Arab country and Musharaff said in a resigned manner (and I urge anyone interested to watch Musharraf’s facial expression at that point) ‘that what can one do when one is let down by friends… ’ Musharaff definitely sounded like a jilted lover at this point. He was perhaps alluding to Colonel Qadaffi’s admission and disclosure and subsequent deal with USA regarding the nuclear issue…and hence, what could one do when a friend, the purchaser had out rightly confessed himself…
Actually, we had been caught and some one needed to be turned into a scapegoat and A Q Khan was the best and perhaps the only choice (of course all in the name of patriotism…) and A Q was pressurized. He was perhaps told that he would otherwise be extradited…
The next joke from Musharaff in that press conference should though be regarding as the joke of the century… when a foreign reporter asked Musharaff whether A Q Khan would be extradited; Musharaff replied that he would not since it was an internal matter… Imagine, nuclear proliferation being an internal matter…. there is not much one can say… except, that the last thing that Musharaff wanted was the extradition of A Q Khan and it was not for the sake of A Q by all means…
The above reminds me of a certain army brigadier who was suppose to be involved with A Q in the days when ‘consignments’ had to be imported in the country… That Brigadier being in the army knew the army well…he made sure that he kept enough incriminating evidence in New York lockers so that he may not be eliminated as a security risk in due time and he did not make any pretensions to keep this as a secret as well…. the result: that Brigadier lived a happy and prosperous life and he and his sons invested in many business ventures though always making sure that at least one of them remained in USA at all times while the rest were present in Pakistan…
What Musharaff did to A Q is no mystery. This is how the army generals operate. One knows them well because they are not very smart in any case. A Q was kept under constraints and a dagger was kept hanging on his head to keep him quiet. I should know, a miniscule existence that I am, they even kept me on the ECL for years and kept the dagger hanging on my head and which was to be honest a serious concession by them – otherwise, who would care if another name was added on the missing list…
The world has changed but we Pakistanis still prefer to bury our heads under the sand… now, there are newspaper articles that A Q Khan’s disclosures can turn out to be a security risk for Pakistan… for God’s sake grow up, be realistic – everyone knew this beforehand that Musharaff was involved – the whole world knew but Musharaff only survived because of the terrorism card…
I mean, once bitten twice shy… in the first instance, Musharaff was not involved in the Kargil debacle remember… even though he was Corps Commander Mangla – the area through which all logistic movements had to be carried out if anything had to be done in Kargil but then again he did not know at all what was happening in his own territory… and now this – each time he seems to declare himself as being the most innocent soul… and this is of course a laugh…
Coming back to the news about the issue of A Q Khan’s personal security after his admissions… does one seriously think he even cares after living such an eventful life… at this point the only thing that may matter to him is to get the truth to come out and he is after all a man of conviction and determination…he is willing to take risks…
I think the biggest security threat now is not to the person of A Q but to Musharaff himself. USA has realised that their policy towards terrorism was faulty and Condoleezza Rice has admitted it finally – Zardari has also not lost the chance to rub it in during his speech in Athens and has weakened these double-crossing generals further – the poor man in our country cant cope with inflation – the army generals and I repeat not the army itself are now totally exposed…. and it is the last party that has to be watched… they wont take over again since the country will simply go bust and they are after all used to their extravagant life styles – they will instead do exactly what they are trained to do – they will find a scapegoat to hang in order to take the pressure off them – and it does not take an Einstein to figure out who that scapegoat will be this time around… only this may perhaps get them off the hook…
Comments
14 responses to “The rat may come out of the bag…”
Let’s be straight and honest, entire world knows it well but we are ones who keep confusing things;
1. A fact that our Nuclear programme was developed by stolen technology, equipments sourced through underworld market and later modified to our needs, this was done by AQ Khan and tehre is nothing to be ashamed of that and its not a crime as we are notsignatory of any treaty.
Bhutto, AQ Khan, Ishaq Khan were behind this game and on several stages even ISI was kept in derk because of its close ties with CIA.
2. After successful Nuclear tests we needed Missile Technology/delivery system, Korea could offer it and in exchange they needed processing designs.
Many believe that Benazir Bhutto, herself carried CD’s and blue prints to Korea and when she returned she had not only technological details but a unassembled missle with her.
3. Still we needed to modernise the missile technology and we exchanged Centrifuges in exchange of long range missiles.
All this was done with complete knowledge and approvel of army, but when word spread, AQ was made a scapegoat.
4. Now, as Iran and Gadaffi is concerned, who dont knows that we dont have US $ 30 millions at the time when Bhutto tried to buy first nuclear reactor to finance it.
FROM WHERE FUNDING CAME, is a simple question that we made some deals.
We bought technology from developed world and Nuclear powers as its not available in Raja Bazar Rawalpindi, its scientists of Nuclear Club who sold it to us, we exchanged it for developing delivery system.
I dont see anything which is secret in this all and there is no crime committed as we are not bound of any laws being non signatory of NPT.
One thing more, India, Isreal and Iran has also sourced technology through the same black market from where we did, no one will ever question AQ or others involved as this will uncover many big names involved who belong topowerful countries.
So, I do respectfully disagree with your conclusion that Pakistan Army will make Musharaf a scapegoat on this issue, as I said earlier that this is only a secret for common people like you and me, not for CIA or KGB or even for that matter for RAW.
And I assure you that there is so much corruption inside Pakistan Army and and each of them is so deeply involved that none of them is going to point a fingure on other, be calm, Musharaf will stay and army will be on his back always.
Unless and untill, either there is a civil war or Pakistan Army realy realises that they have to stick to their constitutional role because of internal pressure, the generals will continue to run puppet democratic governments and rule even directly.
Its not time yet, though we are going in same direction, it might lead towards a civil war or a soft change but it will take some time.
Musharraf protest tail of PIA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naqvi/2638333209/sizes/o/
The spirited and dynamic Dr. Khan should not be maligned for promoting Pakistani exports. In recognition of his contributions, he should be made the head of the Export Promotion Bureau.
Please also see:
King Badar the Conquerer
http://www.justicedeniedpk.com/post/2008/05/26/King-Badar-the-Conquerer.aspx
PCO judges ought to be removed immediately and replaced by those who have taken oath on the PCO 1 only. For more information and enlightnment see PCO Judges
Well, to be honest, after the acceptance by dr. AQ Khan himself that centrifuges were sent to Korea (by someone!) we should rather close the case. Hats off to Pervez Musharraf who managed to keep AQ Khan within the country and not handing him over to USA. We also assume that AQ Khan wasn’t involved alone in this, but if we get emotional and try to reveal all the names consider what will happen? Cries from west of our weapons lying in unsafe hands? Then what? Complete shutdown probably!
I think Musharraf did a splendid job in handling this case, but since the return of Sharif the case is reopened (thanks to his dirty politics), and now we’re in a mess again.
Where is the Cat???????
Tehseen shb, cats have been replaced by rats…
Cheers,
Amer Nazir
Silence bhi,
You should really start to write for fiction for Pakeeza
…Bhutto, AQ Khan, Ishaq Khan were behind this game and on several stages even ISI was kept in derk because of its close ties with CIA…..
Maan I cant stop but to laugh at your assumptions.
What happened between Bhutto and Ishaq Khan? was there some one else running the affairs? may be Alzheimer is really kicking in…
IT was Zia-Ul-Haq who brought back DR AQ Khan and gave AQ Khan powers similar to the president.
I admire Bhutto too for his efforts but I don’t worship ZA Bhutto neither I worship Zia ul Haq, but he (Zia-ul-Haq) should get the credit he deserves even if you don’t like him.
Look you bunch of Dorothies, This aint Kansas,
You have to understand that everyone in this great land of ours is Complicit. Complicit in their meglomania and greed and the profound desire to rip the nation off along with the need to go on continued ego trips. Mush is not the cause but the symptom of an oversized, underutilized, incapable and useless Pak Army, that feeds off the nation like a giant leech. The politicians, Bhuttos, Zardari, Sharifs and all the rest are the supporting leeches which keeps this Military hegemony in power. They themselves are men of no intellect and worst capability, who are not fit to run a Brotthel let alone a country. And AQ Khan is an opportunist who build the BUM and has made himself a trillionaire in the process.
They are all mired of S**T waist high, and whilst you armchair Dorothies are bemoaning the PCO Judges and their polticisation, the real problem of seeping fundamentalism (BUMS going off everywhere) and Food Scarcity and rising inflation (Becoz we are at the behest of a greedy global Commodity Market run by the IMF)is causing more suffering than anything else.
Wajahat,
So why don’t you Dorothite, run your own blog and start to cry of fundamentalism like your bro pipe.
Don’t worry for AQKhan. He is our hero, if he made trillions, doesn’t matter. We want to grab those who didn’t do any thing good for country and still made trillions.
AQ khan is our hero… and its the biggest shame for pakistani’s that they always humiliate their heroe’s.
Look what you have done to AQ khan… he is seriously ill and there were secret spying devices even in his bathroom.
CJ Iftikhar is denied of justice because he said “NO” to dictator and AQ khan is humilitated because he made an Islamic country nuclear state.. shame on us!
Baghee
All that money wasted on the Nuclear program could have been spent on improving the Electrical, Water and Sewerage infrastructure of the nation that could have improved the lives of millions and could have added real value to the man on the street.
Instead all the BUM does is give you politically impotent rabble rousers something to be proud off. How hollow and insane is that….
@ Aflatoon Bhai,
You have read so much stories about ISI and its because ISI is indulged in politics and regional affairs, however its not in control of our strategic assets.
KRL and SPD are directly report to president/PM, while ISI is reports to defence ministry.
The matters like securing stretegic weapons like nuclear technology, missiles, JF 17 and newly started plotonium projects are not under ISI, rather they work indipendently and major decisions are made by a commettee comprising of PM/President/Services Chiefs and heads of these projects.
That commettee has been given some new name recently by Musharaf something like National comman and control authority, however it existed since ZA Bhutto started the nuke project and in these decisions one man can not dissable entire programme, although he can delay decisions.
As you worries of Zia, he was an american pet, and no dog is that stupid to bite the hand which is feeding him, it applies to all dictators in world.
Although our nukes programme was not capped during Zia’s regime but there was no major expension as well, we conducted our first “COLD TEST” in China during Ishaq Khans time and after that we needed exoension, BB having close relations with Libya arranged exchange and financing.
And once again it was BB who arranged the misile system from Korea..
Musharaf and AQ later continued the plan, but cowared general was too scared of his masters that he put entire blame on AQ, just to show them that he is their dog and not biting masters hand rather he is punishing the “scapegoat”.
HAATH ULJHAY HOUAY RESHAM MAIN PHANSA BAAITHAY HAIN
AB HAATH KON SAY DHAGAY KO JUDA KIS SAY KARAIN