An open letter to Begum Pervez Musharraf and wives of army officers

Guest Post by Silence

Dear Begum Pervez Musharaff,

I recognize that every one of us is responsible for our own acts, as such, being the wife of a Military Dictator and a former General of Pakistan Army, I wound not hold you responsible for his acts, however I will request you to consider following facts on humanitarian grounds being a women and a mother yourself.

As you know very well, your husband General Pervez Musharraff belonged to a lower middle class family, with limited resources and opportunities, however this nation provided him an opportunity and he became the Chief of Army Staff of fourth strongest army in world, no doubt, it is a great honor for any one, especially an army of a third world Muslim country where a common Pakistani travelling in a public bus would offer his seat as a token of respect when he see a man in Army uniform, a conductor will refuse to charge him bus fair and a poor roadside restaurant owner would refuse to accept the payment for his meal, I have witnessed tears in eyes of soldier’s when they get this much love and respect from people of Pakistan.

It’s not difficult to understand the feelings of people towards our armed forces, the men in uniform are supposed to defend our borders, our women and children.

Unfortunately, your husband blinded by greed for more power forgot about this love and respect towards the institution he was heading and dismissed a democratically elected government, this was a crime punishable by death under constitution but his seven point agenda was so appealing that most of educated and moderate Pakistani’s supported him after takeover in a military coup and took him as a savior of Pakistan.

He did not turned much different from other dictators in world; he has destroyed each and every institution in country right from Pakistan Army itself to Judiciary and committed biggest economic frauds in history of Pakistan, people who were expecting a developed and moderate Pakistan under his rule are worried about a decent meal a day and afraid to go out of homes because of bomb blasts in every street, while they stay at home there is power outage, but let’s not get in to these details.

What compelled me to write this letter to you and the great daughters of this nation like you who are married to, ‘Men in Uniform’ (I can not say how much manly hood is left in them) are the reports about Dr. Afia Siddiqui, a respected daughter of this nation like you and others, who is presently being detained in isolation by the Americans in their Bagram detention centre in Afghanistan, for over four years called ‘Prisoner 650’ and that she has been tortured to the point where she has lost her mind. Britain’s Lord Nazeer Ahmed, (of the House of Lords), asked questions in the House about the condition of Prisoner 650 who, according to him is physically tortured and continuously raped by the officers at prison. Lord Nazeer has also submitted that Prisoner 650 has no separate toilet facilities and has to attend to her bathing and movements in full view of the other prisoners.

According to reports the ‘Prisoner 650’ Dr. Afia Siddiqui, a PhD degree holder, was arrested by Pakistani intelligence agencies while on her way to the Rawalpindi airport and that she was later handed over to the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). At the time of her arrest she was 30 years and accompanied by her three sons the oldest of which was four and the youngest only one month, one week after her disappearance, plain clothed intelligence went to her mother’s house and warned her, “We know that you are connected to higher-ups but do not make an issue out of your daughter’s disappearance.” the mother was threatened of ‘dire consequences’ in case she didn’t followed the instructions.

On December 30, 2003 Dr. Fawzia Siddiqui, Dr. Afia’s elder sister met with Mr. Faisal Saleh Hayat (the then minister of interior) at Islamabad with Mr. Ejazul Haq, MNA, regarding the whereabouts of Dr. Afia. Mr. Faisal told Dr. Fawzia and Mr. Ejazul Haq that according to his information Dr. Afia Siddiqui had already been released by ISI and that she (Dr. Fawzia) should go home and wait for a phone call from her sister, however the whereabouts of Dr. Afia were not known until another Pakistani, Mr. Moazzam Begg (a former Guantanamo Bay detainee), who was arrested from Islamabad by ISI and later handed over to FBI recounted his experience during his detention in Bagram, Afghanistan in his book ‘Enemy Combatant’ after his release in year 2005.

After reading Mr. Begg’s book, a British journalist, Yvonne Ridley, decided to find further details about the ’Prisoner 650’ and visited Bagram and later called for help in a press conference on July 6, 2008, for a Pakistani woman. “I call her the ‘grey lady’ because she is almost a ghost, a specter whose cries and screams continues to haunt those who heard her,” Ms Ridley said at a press conference, Dr. Afia is being held by Americans for her alleged links with Al-Quaida operatives.

In the book ‘In the line of fire’, your husband General Pervez Musharraff has admitted the handing over of innocent people to Americans for bounty of Million of dollars in return, theses people are considered innocent unless given a chance of a fair trial and proven guilty by a competent court. He was COAS of Pakistan and self styled head of state and responsible to ensure the sovereignty of Pakistan and protection of lives and liberty of people.

Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan provided a guarantee to every citizen to be treated in accordance with law, there is a set procedure for those involved in criminal activities under Criminal Procedure Code which requires that charges against person involved in a crime outside the country and required by a International Police (Interpol) shall be brought before a court of law, the court shall decide about the validity and prima facie value of these charges and shall ensure that the person shall be treated according to law before handing him to a foreign state’s law enforcement agency. However in Dr. Afia’s case and handing over thousands other Pakistani’s to Americans, none of these procedures were followed, she was arrested with her children and handed over to Americans.

If she is involved in any criminal activity, she must have been treated in accordance with law, the charges against her should have been brought before a court and she must have been given a full opportunity to defend herself, even if found guilty, she, as a human being, enjoys protection under UN Charter of Human Rights while serving her sentence and her life and modesty is protected.

Her Children are as innocent as any other child and deserve the same opportunities and protection which is being provided to children of General Musharraff and other ‘men in uniform’. But unfortunately, those who are supposed to protect the women and children of this country have turned in to traders and selling their own people for sake of dollars.

In case the proper legal procedure was followed, it was ensured by court that she shall be treated in accordance with law; Dr. Afia would not have been subjected to inhuman treatment, sexual, physical and mental abuse to the point where he lost her mind!

You are blessed with children, you are a not only a mother but a grandmother, a daughter and a sister, apart from being the wife of a General, just imagine, what if it was not Dr. Afia it was your daughter Ayela and her beautiful children, and handed over to blood thirsty hounds, how would you feel if your daughter was being treated like Dr. Afia!

Please, look in to it from purely women’s prospective and think that how much dignity is left in the money with which you are feeding your children and grandchildren which is being paid by poor and helpless people of this country to your husband for protecting them and how much prosperity the dollars will bring in to your children lives which were earned by selling a daughter of this nation!

How can these soldiers stand with dignity and pride in front of their own daughters, sisters and wives, who arrested Dr. Afia, Moazzam Begg and thousands other missing Pakistani’s and handed them over to Americans for sake of money, which conquered Supreme Court of Pakistan when it was probing the issue of these innocent people.

Being daughters of this nation you have the power to take away that false pride from these cowards, you can make them realize that they are not much different from any other dirty pimp trading honor and modesty of a helpless women.

All of us have conscience, no matter how weak it becomes, it’s still there to guide us to make right decisions, no matter how late we are it’s never late to make a decision which is voice of our conscience, just take few moments and think over it and decide weather it’s worth spending rest of your life with the a person who have sold sons and daughters of this nation for his personal greed, who has betrayed the trust of those who assigned him the job to protect their women and children.

This country has given you a lot and it’s time to pay back that debt, obviously you are not in position to bring back the sufferings of Dr. Afia, her children or Moazzam Begg, but at least you can do this much, take away that false pride from the man who is responsible for sufferings of Dr. Afia, the pride and the dignity which he have shown you in uniform, which is symbol of bravery and sacrifice, for once ask your husband, why did he do this with a daughter of this country!

May Allah bless you and your children.

Best Regards,
A Son of Pakistan.

Comments

22 responses to “An open letter to Begum Pervez Musharraf and wives of army officers”

  1. Nadeem Anjum Avatar
    Nadeem Anjum

    Absolutely agree with you my brother.. It looks like an incessant humiliation is become our fate.. may Allah forgive us and may he give us the strength.. may our Allah bless us..

  2. dr razahaider Avatar

    In 1940 or there about Valabai Patel said, except one man every Muslim of India is purchasable.

    Allah took away that man in 1948 and spared him the pain of seeing of what his countrymen have become.

  3. Ali Avatar
    Ali

    Has anyone heard of “Casting pearls before Swines”?

  4. Shadab Avatar
    Shadab

    All of us seen the trial of “Karadzic” who was guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity in bosnia. He killed 8000 muslim men and boys. Even he has brought to the international tribunal to prove his innocence. Then what on earth our armed forces, who are meant to defend the people of the country, are selling our women to others only for money. This is insane. This is all our own fault because we donot know about our history and do not want to listen what our Prophet said about the coming days. Its all jewish conspiracy because they know a force(Muslim) will rise from the east and will fight against those who donot fear Allah. DOnot forget the war of Armeggedon. Hence they are planning to nip it before it arise but they dont know Allah is the greatest planner of all.

    May Allah bless all of us.

  5. Arshad Hussain Avatar

    i am agreed with this person

  6. Al Qaida Terrorist Avatar
    Al Qaida Terrorist

    Dr. Afia, Forgive us , We are a SHAMELESS Nation !

  7. Jusathot Avatar
    Jusathot

    For someone using the pseudonym ‘Silence’ – you my friend have provided the catharsis – with the reverberation from the heart.

    Under the guise of “war-on-terror” – our security apparatus are the bandits in uniform who together with the hierarchy are bartering our citizens for dollars without any regards for the rule of law. It is nothing more than a form of fascism and state terrorism. These buggers have sold their souls and it would be futile to expect any human empathy from them or their spouses.

    Surely, there are a few good men in the Establishment – and surely, the average Joe (jawan) still commands respect and may have nothing to do with the acts of the hierarchy. But the aberrant behavior and repressive acts are not limited to a few psychotics in uniform. The whole system stinks and nothing short of the complete overhaul is a prerequisite for a change from the status quo.

  8. Asim Avatar
    Asim

    Well what to say in response…?As a nation what we are losing our identity,values and heritage.Few days back,I was flabbergasted by a news,that a father slayed her daughter on her refusal to prostitution.when a father is forcing her own daughter to adopt prostitution,then why we are expecting that the leader which came under the coup will protect the chaste of our sister & daughters..?

  9. anas Avatar

    I completely agree with the case presented for Dr. Afia, but the article is plainly biased, just as usual as it does on this blog. This should be directed to Rehman Malik, Zardari, or any other Begums of these men rather than someone who’s just hanging by his chair for now.

  10. Amer Nazir Avatar
    Amer Nazir

    Well done Silence.. but obviously you dont expect any results… though, keep on writting… this may be our only redemption…

    Of course you know these wives of army officers are even more in-human – we all know about the batman syndrome dont we…in a lighter vein they should all be tried for slave trade – so no dice here…

    As for the lady in question I mean the president’s wife who has caused this nation millions, you forget she is a small timer herself – as some one who knows them personally had once put to me in London – they are a shoda couple who ended up where they should not have and which is no credit to them anyway if giving the devil its due was intended – they are a living evidence of the nation’s deterioration thats all…

    But perhaps you should have addressed this letter to the rascal’s mother – who once said that her son always had common sense and a strong sense of reason…

    If our nation was still alive – the entire familly would be behind bars for crimes against humanity…

  11. Sana Avatar

    true ! we need our politicians to start thinking like ordinary people in the country . It is only when you walk in some one Else’s shoes do u realize the extent of their suffering and a way to sort it out.

  12. me Avatar
    me

    this blog sucks..only one sided biased articles..get a lyfe all of u

  13. Tazeen Hasan Avatar
    Tazeen Hasan

    She should get justice and by justice I mean the trial of all those intelligence officers who were present at her kidnapping, Faissal Saleh hayat, Aijaz ul Haqand Musharraf. Atleast all Pakistani involved in the crime against humanities. She is a living example of US brutality and paying the cost but u will agree that bcs of her many pakistani have come to know the difference between extremism of Taliban against women and liberlasim of US armed forces or present rulers of Afghanistan. Ridely accepted Islam after being in prison of Taliban and Dr. Afia………………………………………..

  14. human Avatar
    human

    who are u writeing letter brother .un are writing to a wife of a masnary a paid butcher who will sell his own wife for money and seat

  15. Kaashi Avatar
    Kaashi

    I agree with everyone. I’m Pakistani first, my question to everyone is that why all the Arabs come to Pakistan to fight against America. If they think America is bad, fight in your own country, why Pakistan. I love Pakistan and for the independence Day we should kick all the foreigners out Pakistan.

    Musharraf should pack his bags.

  16. shazia Islam Avatar
    shazia Islam

    Am ashamed,horrified and in great pain to even think of what MR M usharaf has done with Afia Siddique.I want to ask president Musharaf and his wife Sehaba “will they will hand over their daughter to americans if she is wanted by americans?mushraf must be ashamed of what evee atrocities he has done to daughters of pakistan in LAL MASJID MASSACRE and with DR.AFIA.I WANT TO SHARE MY RESPECT FOR drafia,her family.,pray for her health,safe return,safety for her childern.Sweet DR AFIA I,as a woman,as a pakistani and above all as a muslim salute your courage.we as anation are ashamed to hahe Musharaf as our president.we are destined to suufer this BUT every Pharoa has Moses and every muslim daughter as HAJAJ BIN YOUSAF and MUHAMMAD BIN QASIM.ALLAH may bless all of us.Every night has abright day.

  17. Pushtoon Avatar
    Pushtoon

    Assalam o alaikom Sehba Musharraf Sahiba!

    I have an advice for you.Although my english is not good,but let me try.I want to say that "YOU MUST TAKE DIVORCE FROM MUSHARRAF".I have some arguments for it…

    1). He handed over our innocent sister Dr Afia Siddiqui to American Forces,Similarly he can do this with every Pakistani daughter,even with you.Before that you must take divorce.

    2). 99.9% of Pakistani population wants that Musharraf must leave the ruling chair now.But he is sticking with it like a mosquito with garbage.Do you want to be the wife of such mean person.Of cource not.So take divorce.

    3). He is a liar.Showed false/forged statements to the Pakistani nation of economic development with the help of his puppit prime minister Shoukat Aziz.He betrayed the whole nation,therefor we are facing several crisis like electricity,food,industry,unity…take divorce from a liar.

    4) He is coward and "Darpoak" also.He afraid both from America and Taliban.To the America he must say that, thay should solve the core issues like Palestine,Kashmir,chechniya to eliminate terrorism.If these issues are solved there will no Al-Qaeda etc.Beacause Al qaeda etc came into being due to these conflicts.But he cant say.beacause he is a coward one.Bay gairat.Take divorce.

    5) He rose a slogan"Sub se pehlay Pakistan".Do you know what is the meaning of it.Musharraf means that before Afghansitan and Iraq,Oh!Americans break Pakistan into pieces first.Remember Afghanistan and Iraq are invaded not broken.But Musharraf wants that Pakistan should be broken into pieces first,for that purpose he started military actions in Balochistan,NWFP and now wants in Sindh as well.He is "Ghaddar".Take divorce.

    6). In the whole Pakistani history you will never see suicide due to hunger,rarely in decades may be.But now every day you will see this.you must take divorce from such a harsh heart person.

    7). He often says that he had raised "Allah o Akbar" on the holy roof of Khana Kaba.He is betrayding you,beacause he is just like shaitan.You know "Shaitan" was also a holy angel befor kicking out from heaven.Take divorce.

    8). There are hundereds of arguments I have for you,that you must take divorce from this "Mad,cycho,foolish,selfish" man.But please for me also you should take divorce beacause in the past I used to say "I am proud Paksitani".But now I can’t,due to this bastard,rascal,kutta,kameena,barwa,dallal.Please take divorce.

    Regards

    A Petriotic Pushtoon

  18. sobea Avatar
    sobea

    Agreed
    🙂
    Good luck to all….

  19. Pervez Avatar

    Don’t be so partial and biouse. As per my information the said lady was arrested from Afghanistan. What was she doing there? Just think……about it and you will find the reality if you come out from biousness.

  20. r Avatar
    r

    what does it matter what she was doing there??! the point is what has been done to her whilst being locked up!! maybe she did wrong but does that mean its ok for her modesty to be raped over and over again???!!! How cany anyone say these comments are biased? do you people hav no hearts?mothers?sisters?daughters?

    i hav seen for my own eyes what pakistanis in power do and how selfish they become,these men in power hav made such a beautiful country so corrupt and the wives of these men just sit back and enjoy the fame and the wealth!!. BUT ALLAH SWT is aware of all that we do,nothing is concealed before His eyes.Oneday musharraf will be questioned for what he has done and the mothers of the people that he has sold will also question him.im ashamed to be known as a pakistani i now only refer to myself as a muslim woman.

    As for sister Afia and all our brothers n sisters in similar situations, i pray Allah alleviate your pain n guide you to safety from these evil people,may Allah wazzajal protect your modesty and may Al-Rahman Al-Rahim reward you for all the bad you have endured.

    i no that none of these comments are going to help Afia and all the others that are suffering SO PLEASE, LETS JUST RAISE OUR HANDS,CLOSE OUR EYES AND JUST SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR ALL THE WOMEN AND ALL THE MEN AND FOR ALL OF THE CHILDEREN THAT ARE BEHIND BARS,SUFFERING PUNISHMENT DAY IN AND DAY OUT,GUILTY OR NOT

  21. suhail Avatar
    suhail

    there was only one women afia siddiqi was was tortured or at the most rape we took hell amonut of cry to it , but what about thousands if wiomen who are totured by taliban in the named of prophet mohammed everyday , and no pakistani is bother about it , thousand of hindu women are kidnapped by taliban buz they are force of allah we dont have problem to it , be we only abother about one women that bis held by americans . you muslims of pakistan you have been fucked by forces of allah and i think you are enjoying it , better luck with taliban