Guest Post by Saira Ansari
I’m very disturbed, disappointed and sick to death to see the amount of facebook’ers on my list who think Musharraf’s leaving has been a catastrophe for Pakistan. Just because a new evil, a.k.a Zardari, is in the house does not mean that the previous evil is now a good man. A “leader” as some say. That’s our problem – as an entire nation. We forget and we repeat our mistakes over and over again.
People left right and centre have been levelling accusations at me, and countless others like myself, that we support Zardari. Unfortunately no one takes out 5 minutes to ask if that is so. Let me save you the time…we don’t. And no, he is NOT democratically elected. Hierarchic / Monarchic rule within the party does not ensure a democratic candidate, so stop ranting that its democracy that’s bad. We, the people, have been cheated again. The actual institution has been wronged.
I will get hate messages and mail after this because I get them often for my stance. Those who know me well know my passion for this country and its welfare so at least I can’t be labelled for propaganda as my other friends and colleagues are. But I must have my say – whether or not you bother to read the entire note.
It might seem like an attack on all you who support Musharraf, but unfortunately he was a friend of the wealthy and his circles included the elite and the ruling elite (I use the terms separately so that the few elite members in my list are spared the mercy of being called PML-Q-ians).
His ruling party looted and spent generously. The corruption meter Musharraf used himself to oust Nawaz Sharif has rated the corruption during his past 8 years government rule at least 20-40% more corrupt than that of Benazir or Nawaz Sharif…. and that is quite a task to achieve! Don’t believe me – do some research.
Of course all of you will lament his going. You thought he was fighting for the country, and the economy was oh-so-booming and justice was being handed out to all and sundry.
If you think this way then:
None of you had your father/brother/son/husband picked up by intelligence forces, sold to America and other countries for bounty money, threatened torture and death to you and your extended family for searching for your family member.- The worst insult – Musharraf announcing that all the missing persons had actually just run away from their homes and/or were jihadi terrorists. Yes Mr. Musharraf that’s a very smart thing to say – since it really worked for you to pull out a name from your list every time a suicide bombing happened.
- I have met the families of the missing persons in a very high level semi-secretive meeting arranged by HRCP and Amnesty, a couple of years back, and I met normal people with normal lives – just like yours and mine, but maybe a bit more harsher – suddenly flung into chaos.
- I met a 10 year old boy who was picked up alongside his father and uncle and saw his father being tortured. His father still isn’t back.
- I met the murdered journalist Hayat-ullah’s brother who had gone missing with his brother but had been released while his brother killed. The brother too was killed months after I met him.
- I met Amina Janjua and her daughter and other family members of prisoners who are rotting in Guantánamo.
- How is this the war on terror? It’s more like the war of terror. Why are we being auctioned to satiate an ever-hungry monster’s desire to colonize the world? (USA for those who didn’t get that)
- None of you care to find out what happened on May 12, 2007, when Karachi went under siege and people on all sides were senselessly killed, roads blocked, Edhi ambulances attacked and drivers killed – and NO action was taken. But dancing and celebrating the Punjab qabza group government continued in Islamabad.
- The Karachi bridge collapsing after that seemed trivial and really required no justice. Because a few poor people died and Pakistan can do without some more mouths to feed.
- All of you and your mothers/sisters/daughters/friends/wives have not been raped, or better yet gang-raped. Then you probably believe that rape is supposed to be silenced and that Mukhataran Mai case was “so over-done”. Musharraf was right when he had Mukhataran Mai put on the ECL (Exit Control List) so that the image of Pakistan would not be destroyed.
- And all of you at some time have visited countries abroad, or if you’re lucky like me, were probably born abroad so you don’t have to get raped to get an American visa. Musharraf seemed to think that’s why us ladies in Pakistan liked to get raped. Again you doubt me, check online for direct quotes.
You are also one of those people who’s countless acres of land were not snatched in Balochistan and Sindh and handed for a pittance to army officers who then minted a fortune in selling them later. That’s because you don’t live in Balochistan or NWFP and have your own little place in a Pakistani-suburbia.- You probably also think that Balochis are terrorists and should be tackled with the way they are for wanting to break Pakistan.
- In the past 8 years or so media coverage of Balochistan was banned. No one knew what was happening there because the General didn’t see it fit for you to know.
- So while they were being killed they had other trivial things to worry about too:
- No gas – because they provide all to you me and the rest of Pakistan
- No electricity – because why would tribals need it
- No CNG – because…they have cars?
- No roads – no CNG, no cars, why need roads?
- All the minerals, discovered and potential sites, being sold to the yens and the dollars and the pounds while they get nothing
- And the budget allocation – my God it has been an insult each time their share has been announced.
- But you say that it serves the tribal Sardars right. Because there are NO other regular people, middle class, students, poor, old, unwell people in Balochistan – only Sardars.
- Tell me – why was Pakistan made? Were we not all being denied our basic rights back then? The breaking up of a country to form our country is celebrated – yet when a province, hounded and ignored since Pakistan’s inception now demands their rights or separation you call them villains and terrorists. Damn hypocrisy I say.
- You agree the media has lost control and attacked Musharraf when it was he who “allowed” them to come.
- Again, my lovelies, the free media revolution had started in 1989 and most of these new channels came when the new satellite technology came. Not because they were always barred and Musharraf had an epiphany to allow them.
- It’s shameful how Daily Times Najam Sethi has sold his soul to the pimped out Governor Salman Taseer to keep his position. Why don’t you question his stand?
- And it’s time anyway to wake up and see what’s happening in ever corner of your country. This again does not mean I support substandard and/or yellow journalism
- And if you still think, like Musharraf did, that all the channels sucked and reported wrong information and deserved to be banned in November 2007, then can you please explain why BBC, CNN, Al-Jazeera and all other international news channels were also banned?
- MEDIA MUST BE FREE. Those who are not interested in changing the status quo of this country please change the damn channel to a cheap Indian soap opera which everyone seems to enjoy.
- You think that suspending the constitution was fine and it solved issues. I talk about a constitution, which is not just formed on a whim. It is a legislation almost sacred to a country. It is based on the universal declaration of human rights that are meant to apply to all and sundry; that ensures basic rights to speech, to thought, to movement, to association, to expression, to religion, to vote, to protest, to demand, to information. If the law guarantees you this security NO one should be allowed to manipulate it to say otherwise. No situation allows for the government to tell me to shut up and sit at home and not participate in democratic (or non-democratic as it might be) change. The government is my servant. It exists to take care of me and look after my country. I pay it to do so and it enjoys a very large amount of luxuries on this behalf alone.
You probably also felt that the activists, journalists, lawyers and students deserved to be beaten up, tortured and arrested. - Then Pakistan’s constitution should be “cleaned up” and our rights to protest, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, legal rights before detention and arrest should all be scrapped, because the General didn’t find them fit to implement.
- The emergency was declared to minimize violence, quote unquote. Read Washington post’s article, written by Musharraf himself. The comments on the article are deeply revealing. The suicide attacks still happened. During the emergency the violence against citizens was abominable. More than 5000 people jailed. I myself made a list of 1000 arrests for my work. People, civilians, activists, lawyers, students, little children beaten up like dogs. Is that security? Is that how you “control society”? By breaking their bones, ripping off their clothes and kicking them in the gut. I have names and pictures, arrested and manhandled. Honestly speaking the army, our protector ended up doing more damage to us than anyone else. The police had as usual jumped in to join the party. The fight for judiciary might have the face of Chaudry Iftikhar and you might not like him but the truth is that judiciary must be free and impartial. Arresting lawyers because “they could incite trouble” is about the biggest hogwash there is.
- You agree with military rule for the benefit of the nation. The army unrightfully so taxes us to our bones for “security reasons”, even gobbling up the share for education and development, yet Lal masjid brewed a few kilometres from the presidents’ house with mass ammunitions, ak 47s machine guns, grenades, gas masks…that too in the most heavily policed city in the country. Is that how the army protects us and itself.
- Sadly, because of Musharraf the armed forces really have suffered. And thousands of men, Jawans not Generals, who come from all corners of the country and bear freezing cold and scorching heat to sacrifice their lives for the love of their country, bear the brunt of their military leaders’ bad choices. The army’s job is to protect our borders and that’s what it should do. We received billions of dollars in aid to tackle terrorism. Not only did terrorism increase, but also there have been solid links of financial and logistical support found between the ISI and the terrorists. Who sold us to the Americans and allowed Boucher and Condoleeza to dictate terms? Where does the army get its funding/training/weapons/luxuries from? I’m sure you’ll like reading Dr. Ayesha Siddiqua’s book Military Inc. I enjoyed it and I haven’t found any quotes from the army denying it. Except for maybe banning the book because reading is so bad for Pakistanis. They’ll start to think.
- You say Shut up Saira – do you know what he did for our economy? Yes what did he do? Watching a show on TV last year about Pakistan’s “booming economy” I was surprised to hear a very Mary Antoinette-ish remark made by one of the young pro-government economists “so what if Punjab has a wheat crisis. They’ll get something else to eat”.
- The reason Pakistan’s GDP went up was because of two reasons – the banking sector and the telecommunication sector. The Pakistan banking sector has one of the worst interest rates in the world – how sweet is that since you and your daddies don’t really need to take out any loans – but many other’s do and the banking sector feeds of their carcasses. Nowhere else in the world would Citibank have been allowed to hound a person (and thousand others like him) till he committed suicide.
Coming to Citibank – don’t even bring me to Shaukat (Shortcut) Aziz. The man is undoubtedly smart and he could have done wonders for us – yet he too looted us and helped the ruling class mint some more. mint mint mint.- The Punjabi ruling class however was not content and sold and/or hoarded our flour and sugar, so that the hungry stomachs would dish out more when food was scarce.
- Don’t get me started on the chief justice case. You don’t like him because you think the lawyers brought anarchy to the streets. Well the Chief Justice really should have been kicked in the boot. After all he stopped Shaukat Aziz, Musharraf and all their cronies from extreme profiteering in the Steel mill case, and he asked about the missing persons – the damn missing persons. Oh and Suo Motu…he played with that little Latin term that the government came to associate as a swear word.
And FINALLY, all you people lamenting his exit and the arrival of the new vultures – it was Musharraf’s gift to us, the NRO, which legalised their return and it was Musharraf who pardoned all of Benazir’s, Zardari’s and the Sharif brothers’ cases so that he could get a safe exit in return– one tyrant to another. Mushie knows best.
I don’t even know where to stop. I talk from facts. Hundreds and thousands of files, numbers, cases, stats and complaints lying on my desk and those of my colleagues. Colleagues who got arrested for assembling at the office when the emergency was declared. Colleagues who passionately fight for people’s rights – the same rights that allow you and me the simple liberties we take for granted. We meet people who were abused by Musharraf, those who were abused before him and no doubt those who will be abused by the new monster that has narcissistically named itself the people’s government.
For god sakes wake up you slumbering fools. Musharraf’s exit does not have to mean the return of another evil period for us. Why cant we make it mean something more and bring in more educated people into the services and politics. Talk, speak out, and demand action and accountability so that these goons don’t get to loot us again. Lets not be quiet and say lawyers are liars and politicians are pansies. Maybe if we just worked just as hard as making things work as we do in criticising, things could get better. Start by doing your bit – bit by bit – and wait for the change to happen. Don’t sit and complain in your comfortable houses and cars. Don’t do that because it doesn’t help anyone.
Or just don’t damn well fornicate to produce a generation that will suffer at your expense.
Comments
338 responses to “Sick of Musharraf lovers – a factual rant”
classic piece of misinformation , author is unaware of the facts and realities and in just animosity wih great general she wrote such scrap, comeon and grow up, u cant count musarraf die hard supporters all around the world
Long Live Pervaiz Musharraf
i am really sick of musharraf haters who have actually empty upper chambers, they think with there hearts
see
http://www.economicpakistan.wordpress.com
this site is for all those who are blind and havent any ability to analyze facts rather they believe words of mouth from PML N and relegious fanatics
Long Live Pervaiz Musharraf
now an always
musharrafsupporters.wordpress.com
salaremillat.wordpress.com
ourleadermusharraf.wordpress.com
and countless blogs are in favour of musharraf supporters
cos literate class knows the value of this pearl
saira ansari…credit to you for the research u have put in, atleast u hate this man and have backed your reasons with all the above information which you think is correct..but other than that its all rubbish and nothing more than garbage….so throw it where it belongs…in the bin….
Dear Kashif
Sorry to disappoint you but your favorite General was a DICKtator and an eunuch (Heejra)…He is unable to come out in public and move freely because he knows that people of Pakistan will tear him apart or strangulate him to death.
Whenever he opens his mouth only SHIT comes out and nothing more.
And for those of you who like him and oppose PPP/Zardari are hypocrites like him..It was Musharraf who created NRO thus allowing Zardari and Benazir to stage a come back…
And Just look at PML-Q nowadays..Musharraf's own creation (Courtesy ISI)..They have completely abandoned him and none of the Parliamentarians of PML-Q (except Marvi Memon) ever bothers to defend him on public forum…What a bad day for a bastard like Musharraf..
As far as these stupid blogs are concerned they are made and maintained by expatriate Pakistanis (who do not have an idea of his dreaded regime) or Children of Army Officers (who were having a great time in plundering Pakistan in his regime)…And thats the precise reason that none of the so Called Musharraf supporters (including my Dear Kashif Abbasi) can dare come out in Public and raise a banner in his support or paste a poster declaring him a Great Leader
Musharraf , His policies and His vision Murdabad
Pakistan Zindabad
HAHAHA, Pervez Musharraf is winning even here.
If you go out on the street and ask people, you will find people are longing for him.
Oh, I forgot to mention:
PPP is Pakistan Phuddi Party.
Dear Butt Sahib
where are these people you say are LONGING for him…I haven't seen even ten people in the last one year asking for his return.
And again the same Challenge to the Heejra General and his lovers..Why can't he spend an hour in public without 20 guards (IF THE PEOPLE ARE REALLY LONGING FOR HIM)….
Poor chap..Thought he was God and now he cannot roam around freely in Pakistan..So much for his poor admirers..They even cannot express their Love for him in public apart from on line forums
Ha ha Ha
And Dear Butt and Kashif
Before you burst into foul language or emotional ranting ..Please try to answer the questions raised in a cool and logical way
Regards
@ Akhtar,
first of all you are absolutely wrong. So far it has been proved that Musharraf and his policies were all good for Pakistan including his actions on Lal Masjid and killing traitor bugti. You are just an ignorant who will never understand what moderateness is.. you only know criticizing and that what you and your likeminded can only do.
You objected Musharraf, now you got Zardari and then you will get Nawaz Sharif.. so on and so forth… only feudals will rule this nation just because of people like writer of this article , owner of this blog and ignorant people like you.
You should keep your stinky mouth shut!
I request to all those defending Musharraf here that please try to be logical. Simply by saying that "it has been proved" or "or it clear/obvious" etc, the point cannot be proved. Please try to actually prove that how his policies were correct and build some argument.
Best Regards
Dear Mr. Amin,
Firstly, I am not favouring any body here. Mr. Amin for a moment, just for a while, forget what Ms. Fara has said to defend Mr. Musharaf – she may be wrong and/or right – then why don't you (with your logical explanation) prove to protect the correctness/genuiness of Mr. Zardari (first known in Pakistan, only, and now an American Senator describing him as Mr. 10%) although now he is solely the Mr. 100%. What about the Sharifs'the beneficiary of the solgan "qarz utaro mulk sanwaro" grabbing all the money from the innocent public collecting Chanda/Charity to repay off the debt obligations, in the form of cash, jewels, etc., where did all that money go – the debt still remains intact. and likewise politicians in some way or the other benefiting from the fooling democracy – the democracy that bears no fruits to the massive numbers of poors, the numbers that may factually be close to or over 95% of the total population. They are rather snatching away the last bit of roti from their mouth –
Dear Mr. Amin, can you "PROVE THE LEGITIMACY OF THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH THIS ANIMAL CALLED "DEMOCRACY".
Man, you ask to prove; don't you watch the media news, don't you see the talk shows – these people have no worries and remorse – no regrets – no repentence at all – their "the politicians" non seriousness is clearly visible when you see them these talk shows – see how they laugh with HARDHEARTEDNESS.
good lord. no wonder we are a nation of confused people.we refuse to listen to arguments and just have our say and disappear. half the arguments are a loop with the same words/lines going back and forth. for one, zardari was musharrafs gift and not i or any one else is supporting him. so you musharraf lovers can say all you want, it will never take away from the fact that he brought Z back.
secondly, a sham setup and people does not automatically denounce a system. get your story right. a faulty government means democracy is an 'animal'? well love, what you are implying then can easily be applied to everything else, including our beloved religion. There are hundreds of brutal animals killing in the name of Islam – does that make Islam an 'animal'? I hope you have more sense than generalizing at random.
and for everyone else who calls me biased, bought out, under-read – i dont really give two anas for you lot. because if you have an opinion so do i.
so stop wasting your time on this post and blog if you hate it so much…losers.
You Ms. Saira, seem to me enjoying your life in luxury. Unbiased of what you think – allow me to speak – i assume that you ignore a lot and do not read all or understand. Tell me who speaks of religion here – this is your added sense of commentary. LOSERS – are the people who are suffering in this Democratic Society runned by the elite. In fact, what you need to understand from my earlier comments is that no matter who leads this country, "a poor man in his own capacity has to start his day hunting food for himself and his family, and at day end, earns some money that not even sufficient for him to feed his children food for at least two time a day – you nor will any other be there to feed his/her children. And the fact is that this has always happened and it is getting worse. Dear Saira, you have to look down to see what's happening below.
Speaking of Islam – yes of course, nothing can save this society but an evolution or to the extent a revolution.
Guessing or assuming some ideas or thoughts out of some corner of your mind is no justification to your comments. No matter who loses or wins – someone is responsible and they are not the poor.
Good day to you – enjoy
again…lovely assumption that i live a privileged life….
When did I give you the right to speak of my personal life? I do not even feel the need to justify my life and its troubles to you.
because again…you are assuming. so keep assuming.
also i never ever denied the condition of the poor or said it got better or worse at certain points. but you accuse me so. great argument once again. false accusations. and you seem to imply it got better at the time of your favourite? happy dreaming.
and happy lying.
i also assume that you live a life of luxury and are unread. hence keep your 'weak' opinions to yourself too.
Hmmmmmmmmm..This debate is turning really interesting but again as expected the Musharraf Lovers have no argument and proof that the Mentally Retarded DICKtator was a blessing to this nation.
And Dear Hamidullah are you living in stone age or caves…Every developed and prosperous country has this animal called "DEMOCRACY" and majority of the third world countries and Arab Kingdoms have only Third Rate Military Dictators and Kings…So please wake up and take a look around on the Globe..
And Just beacsue a person like Zardari is in power doesn't make Musharraf the Heejra an angel…Both are corrupt and wrong in their own ways..But Musharraf is worst than Zardari because of the following resons
1. He brought the NRO which allowed Zardari to stage a come back and do all this plundering
2. He proudly mentions in his book that how he sold Pakistani to USA for dollars (at least a politician has not done such a thing in 60 yrs)
3. He tarnished the Image of Pakistan Army
4. He gobbled all the 10 billion US Aid without a trace
5. He is a murderer.
6. Allowed Drone attacks in PAkistan
7. Created PML-Q (using political wing of ISI)
8. He is third rate Criminal and Electricity Thief (Please read the coverage of Ansar Abbasi in The News)
9. Tried to attack the judiciary ( but was screwed by the people of Pakistan)
These are only few of his achievements …
And in the end…
Again the same challenge to the Heejra General and his lovers
Why can’t he spend an hour in public without 20 guards
Why can't his admirers cannot express their Love for him in public by a small rally ..And why do they have to hide their faces in public and can express their love only on online forums
Think People…Think
Pakistan Zindabad
That was not an assumption – you speak like one –
and i told you, you, do not seem to understand others and rightly so – before answering to my comments please read twice what I had written.
Your personal life is none of my business so justifications to your self and do not try to get personal – try to understand and in fact your are justifying that too –
"I do not even feel the need to justify my life and its troubles to you."
You do not have the capability or capacity to measure my life. You ask me to keep my opinion to myself, your said weak opinion – is this a new way to ask for friendship.
Good bye
Dear Mr. Akhtar,
I will try to respond to your Hmmmmmmmmm comments, sentence wise:
“Every medicine discovered for the treatment of cancer tastes bitter – but cures effectively. Truth is bitter and good for building up an excellent, first class and a high quality conscience.”
I see you enjoy the discussions/debates – and your comments create an impression "something turning out to be really interesting".
Can't you give the people some useful and thought provoking ideas, instead of crying over who likes Musharraf and who does not?
Dear Akhtar, you speak of stone-age, have you ever imagined about how the stone ages would have been? Have you ever even been to the rural of areas in any part of Pakistan. In fact, I believe people at that time might have been living a better life in then without the present age modern technology, than the people living in the rural areas of Pakistan today.
At least for the sake of argument, the stone age is still there, and you are unfortunately unable to see that from the balcony of your apartment. Life in the caves at that time were much better than the lives the people living in this country today – You speak of the third world democracy – Do you even know what this Democracy is and what it means? What your beloved Democracy has done to this country, this nation? What fruits it has yielded?
My discussion will not accuse or blame any one. I totally agree to what you say, “Accusation and Blame is easy – Learn to face the facts”. I say, What about you brother starting taking lessons yourself – what is preached shall be first practiced.
Dear, harvesting of this type of democracy will bring no profit to the way of life of a Muslim in Islam. I am my self not a pious person at all. Nothing can be omitted from or added to the teachings of Islam. Islam was and is and will be the most current religion ever – fresh.
Ruling in Pakistan has just been a kind of a troika, 'a musical chair' game. I agree to most of the nine points you’ve mentioned – now too old to discuss. Your point 7 – about creation of PML-Q.
My added question to your list of 9 is: “Which of the following PML factions was behind the making Pakistan”?
Answer with options: A:PML-Q; B:PML-N; C:PML-F; D: PML-SBG
Tick mark the correct answer from the above options and win a — just forget it – no prizes
And point 9: Judiciary – how innocent – judges are easy to bribe because there's no one to check – what of the judiciary officials screwing the people for years – its just natural repercussion – haven’t you heard this saying, “what you sow shall you reap” – It’s a cycle of repercussions.
You need to change your attitude to positive. First is First and if bad I do will receive bad and good will return goodwill.
Take care brother
Pakistan Waqai Zindabad
Dear Hamidullah
I really appreciate your response and your gentleman's way of responding to others.This is a thing i have never seen in Musharraf Admirers( They always resort to bad mouthing and foul language while answering)
I will only respond to your comment
"""What your beloved Democracy has done to this country, this nation? What fruits it has yielded?""
Dear , unfortunately since 1947 democracy was not allowed to run its natural course in Pakistan ( because of multiple reasons)..Most of the times we have been ruled by third rate Military dictators hungry for power and dying to lick American boots..You we cannot blame the Democracy alone (which was never there in the first place) for all our ills..
My 9 points will never be too old to discuss because we have to stand up as a nation and say NO to repeated Military Takeovers once for all..And It would be great if Musharraf can be dragged in a court and made answerable for his crimes
I agree it is only Islam that can guide us
Thank you once again for a nice discussion and listening to my point of view
Have a nice Day
It’s a debatable article indeed. I appreciate writer for his effort. However, it’s a Pandora box, filled by allegations. What writer is saying might be correct to her knowledge BUT what about the other side of picture. Has Mr. Musharraf been given any chance to defend himself? For years, only one sided hatred and malicious campaign is going on against him, saying him responsible of every wrong.
Let us come to few other POINTS as well.
1- Mr. Musharraf always spoke about extremism and terrorism as worst challenges for us. Did anyone listen to him? Was there any campaign in media? Hundreds of times, Mr. Musharraf named Fazlullah (Swat) and Baituallah Mehsud (Waziristan) as biggest enemies of Pakistan. Why no one wrote a single column or made a single report against those master terrorists? Why media kept favouring those enemies of Pakistan. Is it justified to defend terrorists just in the hatred of Mr. Musharraf? Kindly listen his speeches in Seerat conferences, in which he analysed the situation too clearly, deeply and rationally.
2- Regarding steels mills issue, President Musharraf has himself revealed few important FACTS, which were CUT by media during his speech in December 2007.
A day before the judgment of Steels Mills, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry rang the military secretary of President Musharraf and asked for a sitting with him at Army House to discuss the details of the judgment. President allowed him to come and also did call Attorney General of Pakistan. When all three sat together, President said, “I don’t know the legalities, but all what I would like to say is that you took suo-moto action against the privatisation of Steels Mills. I believe in the dignity and honour of the Supreme Court. So, whatever be the judgment, it must not lower your dignity and honour, but remember government is doing a good job for privatisation. Please don’t try to hamper this process.”
Then both the attorney General and Chief Justice discussed the legalities and came out with a mid way solution. Chief Justice himself told President Musharraf that a good via media is brought out and he is going to give this as a decision the next day. Then Chief justice went to the bench and told that President himself has decided to cancel the privatisation of Steels Mills. So, without any idea of betrayal, 12 member bench of Supreme Court gave exactly the opposite decision to what expected by the government.
In 1985, soon after being established, it was planned to increase the productive capacity of Pakistan Steels Mills Corporation (PSMC) to 2.2 million tons annually to make it economically feasible. Unfortunately, the successive governments did not take personal interests and concerns in this project and finally the debt over Steels Mills reached to 19 billion rupees till year 2000 and the amount required for increasing its productive capability reached more than 200 billion rupees. The biggest challenge after 12th October 1999 coup was to bring Economic stability in the country. Musharraf did manage to convince Shoukat Aziz to resign from City Bank and to come back to Pakistan and serve the homeland. The economic situation was like a nightmare. Foreign reserves were remained only 0.7 billion dollars and sanctions were upon Pakistan due to nuclear explosions. No one was willing to take ‘risk’ of investing in Pakistan. After military coup, the situation was even more difficult. It worried Shoukat Aziz, but he accepted the challenge. He made a win-win policy for economic revival. The core of the policy was deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation. It worked well, and a confidence of investors recovered in Pakistan. Even during those months after 9/11, when Pakistan and Indian armed forces were alert stand by on borders with eye to eye balls contact, investment did not stop coming in Pakistan and Stock Markets shown good trends. Things were going fine and in the positive direction, but the suo moto action by Chief Justice hampered the overall process by shaking the confidence of the investors.
The day when decision came out was surely very shocking for the government. President Musharraf himself had visited China and Saudi Arabia to convince them to invest on PSMC. Finally after many years, his efforts bore fruits and he got able to convince Saudi Arabia based Al Tawairqi Group of Companies to invest in PSMC. In May 2006, an open auction held in Islamabad and Al Tuwairqi Group submitted a winning bid of $362 million for a 75 per cent stake in PSMC. It was being privatized in the profit of $ 13 million (without selling the land of Steels Mills). Due to the opposite decision of Supreme Court, hundred million of dollars which were lying in our banks by Mr. Tuwairqi to invest on PSMC and to establish another steels mills were brought out of Pakistan. Disappointed by the decision, Mr. Tuwairqi told everyone to wind up and went out, as investing in this country is not safe. This was again a great shock for Pakistan’s Economy. Without wasting a single moment, President Musharraf rung up Mr. Tuwairqi and requested him not to change his mind for investing in PSMC. Unfortunately, after having a bitter experience of Supreme Court’s decision, Mr. Tuwairqi excused to invest on PSMC. This was what Mr. Iftikhar Chaudhry did with the Economy of Pakistan, but his ‘media managers’ applaud his decision as his national achievement.
3- No Pakistani is 'sold' to Americans. General Musharraf's policy was very clear and realistic about it. If Pakistan arrests any terrorist, who is Pakistani, then he would not be handed over to any other country. However, if he is foreigner (Al-Qaeda holds terrorists from many countries-being 'global jihadists'), then first govt. of Pakistan would contact his country to hand over him back to his own country… But if his country refuses to take his responsibility or denies to own him, then he would might be handed over to USA, considering their 'Most Wanted' status and what UNO asks us to do. Out of 672 captured Al-Qaeda terrorists, Pakistan handed over 369 to USA.
It’s a wrong impression that Pakistanis are handed over to USA. Yes, there were many Pakistanis in Guantanamo Bay (about 60) but when Pakistani govt. came to know about them, a delegation was sent to bring them back to Pakistan. When investigations were made about their existence in Guantanamo bay, it was found that they were those who were gone illegally to Afghanistan to help Talibans and to fight against the USA in Afghanistan. One example of it is Molvi Sufi Muhammad, who brought 5000 Pakistanis to fight in Afghanistan illegally, and nearly 80 % of them either were killed there or were arrested and tortured to death or sent to Guantanamo Bay. Few were arrested by other countries, too. Hence, no one was handed over to USA.
5- Regarding Lawyers' Movement; the other side of story is here;
http://longlivemusharraf.wordpress.com/2009/03/17…
It would bring only confusions if we start looking things excluding the environment. Unusual circumstances lead to unusual results and solutions. Only National interests come first.
All those who supported and support Mr. Musharraf, trust him as a one who struggled his best to defend national interests under most difficult and nerve stressing moments. He struggled to save Pakistan becoming Afghanistan and Iraq. To go through the other side of story regarding the terrorism and suicide bombings in Pakistan, do read "The suicide anatomy";
http://longlivemusharraf.wordpress.com/2008/10/28…
6- Lal masjid (LM) clerics were involved in; kidnapping, ransom, illegal occupation of lands, running illegal FM stations, threats to throw acids on face of women (including the female students of my 'Quaid-i-Azam University'), Training suicide bombers, Threatening that their suicide bombers are distributed in whole country, Killing security officers, issuing fatwas against martyrs of armed forces, running state within a state, burning the building of environment ministry and Girls School, having open connections with militants and terrorists of tribal areas… blah blah.
Now, see, what happened in Swat; Slaughtering people and army troops, killing lady health workers, blasting CDs and barbers' shops, not allowing anti-polio vaccination team to work there. blah blah
To the same culprits, army has operated in 2007 as well, and people of Swat welcomed the army operation. In 5 weeks, 80% of the district was controlled by army and was cleared of the culprits. Why then army was cursed by media, pseudo intellectuals and politicians?
When President Musharraf requested Pakistanis and media/politicians to stand against Baituallah Mehsud and Fazlullah in his 3rd January 2008 address, why no one listened to him?
One must now admit that when Musharraf stood against these culprits of Swat and terrorists during all his tenure. He suffered many assassination attempts but stood firmly for Pakistan. Every one spoke against him in hatred. Now, majority is supporting the operation and stood up against extremists and terrorists.
7- It’s also a famous statement that Gen. Musharraf 'surrendered' on phone call. The facts are;
It was 12th September 2001, when Colin Powel called and asked, "You are either with us or against us". That conversation did not get into specifics. President Musharraf replied, "Pakistan is against terrorism, having suffered from it for years." There were no further negotiations and hence there was much time to think about it. The next day, DG ISI told President about what US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has said in most undiplomatic tone, "Get ready to be bombed back to Stone Age, if you choose terrorists." This was most critical moment. Any decision would hang the fate of millions of people and future of country.
Decisions can never be taken on the basis of emotional editorials or speeches. It always need a rational analysis and must need to make analysis of every pros and cons.
Musharraf brought a high profile meeting for more than 5 hours, having discussion of every possibility… including the confrontation with USA as well. The final decision was taken on few grounds like;
a- Pakistan's Military weakness as compared with that of USA. Pakistan's armed forces would be destroyed in confrontation.
b- Economic weaknesses. We have no oil or such card to play to to sustain our economy, which already was struggling those days.
c- Social weaknesses in position of confrontation. Lack of unification of thoughts.
d- India was already offering air bases to USA. If Pakistan
did not join, then India would be provided by golden opportunity to get Kashmir.
e- India and USA might be able to destroy our Nuclear weapons. Destabilisation of only Muslim nuclear state would bring disaster.
f- Is it in national interests of Pakistan to destroy us for Talibans?
Why we un-necessarily take on Super power and for what?
Everyone was on board to the final decision of President Musharraf, including Cabinet and corps commanders. On 19th September 2001’s address to the nation, President explained the decision to the nation in detail. Then for the next two weeks, President met intellectuals, top editors, columnists, tribal chiefs, students etc. Not only this, he met a delegation from China and discussed the decision. Then he went to army garrisons all over the country to make soldiers on board.
To save the lives of Afghan people, Pakistan tried her best to persuade Mullah Omar to make Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenants to leave Afghanistan to avoid any military strike. Mullah Omer acted impulsively and ruined the lives of his own country fellows. Alas!
The same day when President Musharraf was going to address in UNO in November 2001, a well known so called Pakistani 'journalist' Mr. Hamid Mir published an EXCLUSIVE interview of Osama Bin Ladin in his newspaper with the headline,
"Al-Qaida has nuclear weapons- claims Osama"… (Hamid Mir)
One must imagine the position of President Musharraf, standing alone among world leaders, facing harsh questions from every one regarding Pakistani involvement in transferring technology. It’s useless to ask about the authenticity of interview etc. Mr. Hamid Mir made his 'best' attempt to hit Pakistan, and hit hard.
Later, notorious A.Q Khan Scandal multiplied the troubles for Pakistan to ultimate heights… Musharraf handles this painful challenge and defended Pakistan's vital national interest. It was the courage, decision making skills, crisis management and leadership qualities, through which President Musharraf brought Pakistan out of such mess. One must understand the sensitivity of the environment.
4- [I dont know why point no. 4 was not published online earlier. Well, I am re-posting it.]
Regarding Dr. Afia's case, the other side of story is here;
http://ummatpublications.com/2009/05/22/story4.ht…
Kindly do visit remaining 4 parts of the story as well.
My question is simple. WHY MEDIAN DID NOT FOCUSS THIS VERSION OF STORY. Why? Just because it goes against Dr. Afia and it rejects one sided allegations on Mr. Musharraf.
8- President Musharraf was well securing the interests of Pakistan under most difficult situation. Problem arises when there is difference of facts and perceptions, which are not true. Lot of things happen, which public do not know due to sensitivity of the issues. Musharraf walked on tight rope, making balance with national interests, public perceptions and the cosmetics of allies of USA.
Yes, Musharraf saved Pakistan. He secured our vital national interests. It’s wrong that he took dictation from USA or anyone else. Till 2007, we were able to strengthen our Economy. Escaped well the notorious Nuclear proliferation scandal, Maintained good relations with the world community, made peace deals with tribal elders (USA was unhappy), Strengthened ties with China (USA was unhappy), Started IPI pipeline (USA was unhappy), launched Gwadar project (USA was unhappy), oppose any invasion on Iran (USA was unhappy), did not send our troops to Iraq (USA was unhappy), did not hand over Dr. A.Q. Khan to IAEA (USA was unhappy), launched operations against separatists in Baluchistan. We were progressive and developing state.
It was just when Pakistan changed her Afghan Policy, and stressed to restructure OIC and then brought Muslims countries (Foreign ministers conference) to take stand against possible invasion on Iran. Realising Musharraf as a tough guy to the vested interests of enemies of Pakistan, all of a sudden sponsored, orchestrated and fabricated campaign was launched against Musharraf. Lawyers' movement is one classic example. Again I would say, till 2006, things were going positive. When in 2007, 24 hours media shouted against army chief and all his actions, then it was the ideal ground for enemies of Pakistan to re-organise their assets, whether they were separatists, clones of Talibans, media managers etc.
———————————————————–
Unfortunately, I lack time to visit the internet or to write my view point in much refined form. However, I have tried to express few of my thoughts in short span of time.
I did read and appreciate the writer. Now, I hope for the reciprocation. We all love Pakistan. On the monor difference of opinion, I hope we would not carry on debating forever.
Best Regards.
Pakistan Zindabad.
Dear Nayyar
Thank you very much for your detailed response.But in all honestly whatever you said is more about Cyberfiction than Ground realities and Facts.
World history shows All military dictators have ruined their countries in the past and Pakistan's case is no different. Ayub Khan and (Womanizer) General Yahya's flawed policies resulted in Debacle of Dhaka, Zia Gave us the Heroin, Klashikov and Secretariansim culture, Musharraf policies resulted in Suicide bombings and weakening of the PAkistan Army.
Have you ever wondered what is the main difference between us and India, China , Singapore, Malaysia and other rapidly developing countries in the world. NONE…I repeat NONE of them had third rate military dictators taking over and proclaiming themselves the saviors of their countries.There can be hundreds of other reasons as well but this one is the COMMON FACTOR in all of them
And you are also confused like the General..If he was such a commando as he proclaims then why to take U turns and present all our airbases to USA ….
You haven't tried to Justify the Drone attacks that started in the time of Musharraf and so far have killed more than 700 innocent Pakistanis (and PROBABLY few terrorists)…..
Please don't distort the facts and see ""Missing in Pakistan, The road to Gauantanamo and read Mulla Zaeef (afghanistan envoy description as how he was abducted and sold by the ISI to Americans)…These are real humans (Thousands of them whose life has been ruined by Musharraf's ploicies)
In the last the only reason Musharraf is unable to air his voice is that no body wants to listen to his BULLSHIT.
Butthanks again for a detailed response
MR.Akhtar
Please keep your facts straight. China, Russia and various other nations made their foundations and grew enormously during military rules. If you see history then you will find out all great leaders of the great Muslim nations were military rulers.
If you want to judge Mushrraf's credibility then you should know and feel proud being Pakistani that Musharraf is the highest paid speaker in the world. He is earning 250K USD per lecture and having 80 lectures already booked for 2009 mostly in Europe.
Can you compare Musharraf with any Pakistani politician? Why do you think people are paying him so much just to listen him? Did you see how he replied to the hostile Indian crowd in Conclave 2009 in India? If you haven't seen it then see it here:
http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/video-pe…
Only a patriotic Pakistani could care to face such hostile crowd for Pakistan.
People like you just spreading disinformation about Musharraf intentionally or unintentionally but without knowing the fact that they are just maligning Pakistan and achieving nothing else.
You talked about weakening Pak Army, Sir, Pakistan Army is being attacked by people like writer of this article and critic like you who just keep criticize and spread disinformation without any facts and keep attacking Pak Army to weaken it under "Criticizing Military Dictatorship" cover ups.
Now when you feel that there is another military coup coming to save Pakistan from being destroyed by these corrupt and shameless feudal politicians, you are active once again to malign Pak Army…
There are millions of Musharraf lovers all around the world doesnt matters if only thousands like you hates him due to their personal agendas!!!!!!!
Dear AP
I will only answer the last part of your post
""There are millions of Musharraf lovers all around the world doesnt matters if only thousands like you hates him due to their personal agendas""
Where are these MILLIONS of his lovers all around the world…I am sure in Israel, India and USA admin as they were the ones most unhappy over his being Kicked out from the Presidency…
And For the third time , the same challenge to you all LOVERS of MUSHARRAF
Why can’t you MILLIONS admirers express their Love for him in public by a small rally .And why do you have to hide your faces in public and can express your love only on online forums
ANSWER: These admirers only exist in cyberspace and online forums only. On ground there are NONE
Dear Akhtar
You are right.. people who support Musharraf are moderate ones and not like those extremists who can come out on streets to support so called "Free judiciary" but none concerns the real issues faced by common man today.
Just go out wherever you live and ask a common man:
who is better.. Current Gov or Mushrraf Gov? then you will get your answer.. but for that you have to move your ass…
Regarding Drone attacks: In Musharraf's 8 years tenure there were only 2 drone attacks and since PPP took over the number of attacks are more than 150 in just a year.. like AP said.. disinformation is being spread to confuse people..
Mushrraf resisted the drone attacks and he had immense pressure from CIA
and Mossad…but he never surrendered and finally got removed by orchestrated and well planned, well funded movements.
Read these facts to enlighten yourself and then make comments :
http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/pakistan…
wounds being left on the souls by Bushurruf are countless, before him we had noting like "sucide attack" in Pakistan, he introduced this to us, he was a traitor and so called commando who kneeled in one phone call from 3rd grade officer like ricahrd armatage, and made my country a doorway to hell,killed innocent students at lal masjid, i read some one saying above that they were giving a bad name to islam, i want ask the "mufti" killing them all was the only option ? or the matter could be handled in diffrent manner …the acts of taking law into thier hands shoud absoulotly be condememd but how many people they killed ? during all thier demnostrations…???…ansawer is none,they were peopel who were protesting (in wrong manner) for suport of thier ideology (which was the enforcement of shariya) and bloody bozzo thought that was the chance to get another shot at the presedency by drawing his masters(americans)attention towords his "sinciare" actions towords brutal suppression of pro islamic school of thought in the country and geting the political advantage over the lawyers uprising, tyrant finally did what his type do the best ……ran away ….PPP's goverment should bring him to justice as he could also be the main conspiriter of the shaheed baynazir bhutto's assasination.
Musharraf the Theif exposed ….
Read the story here…Since he was a bad man and a dictator so he could degrade himself to any lowlimits
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id…
Dear Saira,
Great post, I would have to read it again. You nailed down the suckers, very logical.
If we have women like you, I am more than hopeful that this nation will not doom, Insha Allah.
Long live Pakistan,
Alas!
Mr. Junaid,
Carpentering is a good business these days – you use too many nails.
Man you are still living in the past
Your stupid and untimely discussion is just a waste of time.
What about speaking of today?
And, brother in this whole blog above it is not only Saira who has posted her hard work – others also need admiration and such remarks.
Listen this is important: There is an old saying, "The worst enemies of a man is his Past and the Future and
his best friend is his Present."
So its up to you (all) to choose either of the three, "the past, the present, or the future".
Good bye.
And if you wish to discuss any thing you all wish to you can write to me at my email: khanhamidullah71@hotmail.com
Take care all.
Ha ha.. looks like Mr.junaid is trying to fix something here….
You guys must read this great compilation.
Operation Blue Tulsi: 15 Years in Planning, 10 Years in Preparation and Today in Execution
Every inquiry must start somewhere. We have chosen this inquiry to start in the late eighties when two junior intelligence officers one Pakistani other Indian faced each other on opposite sides of the law. The Pakistani intelligence officer had caught the Indian agent on Pakistani soil with incriminating evidence. Indian agent knew his life had come to an end. However, everything has a price. And his freedom was worth a little less than half a million rupees. A few days later the Indian agent was sitting back at home, free as a bird. And life went on for several more years until the fateful year of 1994 when the two old “chaps” met again. This time officially. The Indian agent had climbed the ladder to an important post in the government. At this side of the border the junior Pakistani agent, against all odds had become one of the top bosses at Federal Investigation Agency. Of course, this was the infamous Rehman Malik. (See: Pakistan’s Zionist Security Advisor)
Read More:
http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/operatio…
It is easy to criticize Musharraf because he hailed from the military. Apart from that what is the blemish he has. One has not to forget the circumstances and Nawaz behaviour that brought him to power. It is a long story we will go into it later Inshallah.
Look at the way he performed in Agra and his recent visit to India. The way, beautifully he handled the accusative Indian Media. I challenge if any of our leaders could handle those vicious attacks. He came out with flying colors defending Pakistan.
Any ways what democracy are you talking about? It is primarily is "Of the feudals, by the feudals and for the feudals" certainly not "of the people, by the people, for the people". If one of the villains either Nawaz or Bibi (now the unlected Zardari)is in power there is decmocracy. What are the people getting? Where is the common man? Certainly not in the Parliament. The rubber stamp parliament that was before is now the same.
Zinda Qaumen, live nations look forward not backwards as we constantly do. Have you heard Obama day in and day out blaming Bush? Never. They work in the present for the future unlike our guys living in the past to survive the present and make the future of our nation bleak.
Lets see what can we do. Introduce rural land ceiling where no body holds no more than sixty acres per name. And if it is under canal not more than 14 acres 46+14. Land will come in possession of more and more people. Prosperity will grow. Education will also improve.
When purchasing power betters things are needed, when that happens ban imports. Industries will flourish and more employment generated. There will be a boom. Law and order will also automatically improve but The State has to be determined in this.
I can write a book on this.
Do some big things man. Don't think small. Think big.
Found an interesting blog:
http://thinker-thinkingoutofthebox.blogspot.com/
Please read on Musharraf Quote in his book about handing over people to US. People comment out of context and without ever having read his book: Click the link.
http://thinker-thinkingoutofthebox.blogspot.com/2…
Hi there Musharraf lovers and apologists
I have waited for some time but since nobody is coming forward so i would like to ask these "Cyber Lovers"" and ""Online Warriors of Musharraf""
Your favorite DICKtator is being dragged into the courts..why are you people not on the roads protesting against this decision and showing your love for the mentally retarded and (hiding in London) General…
When sacked the Judges Millions came out to support them and this is a documented hisotry which even the retard himself cannot deny…
Now where are those so called moderates and enlightened Goofs who kept on praising him in the last 8 years but miserably failed to come out in open to support him when he needed them the most….
Remember he called Justice Iftikhar ""Scum of earth"" and time has shown who is actually the scum bag and piece of shit(who is unable to roam around in Pakistan and cannot gather 10 persons in his support)….
Before you carzy Musharraf lovers start scolding me , please pool in some money to arrange a lawyer for him…No body is willing to defend the Heejra General in court….
And please also read this letter to editor
http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=189748
No one to defend the General
Saturday, July 25, 2009
When the Supreme Court asked around, last week, if anyone would defend General Musharraf, no one came forward. One wonders, where are all those people who were willing to elect him president in uniform, "not once but ten times"? Or those who praised his dapper looks, in uniform as well as in civilian suits?
Values and mores differ in different cultures, but there are certain human traits that are universally despised — or admired. Disloyalty to your benefactor when he can no longer benefit you is a trait that is despised across all cultures.
Musharraf's supporters, particularly of the Q variety, who were seen wagging their tails around him throughout his eight years in power, are now not only distancing themselves from him but are openly criticizing him. The former federal minister of religious affairs, in an article on these pages last week, had this to say about Musharraf: "The former president, in his lust for continued rule, felt no remorse to become a partner in the despised game plan and despicable deal through the notorious NRO". Doesn't the former minister himself have any remorse on being a partner in the regime that he is now criticizing?
Aziz Akhmad
New York
Let me cut through the confusion and tell you this.
The case in the court is about two Sindh high court judges who want to be reinstated. It is not about Musharraf. The former president is not under prosecution.
His name came up because the fate of the two judges depends on an action taken by the former president two years ago.
If the former president’s action is right, then the two judges can be restored to their jobs. If the action is wrong, the two judges will stay jobless.
Someone emailed me asking: If the court proves that introducing emergency rule on Nov. 3, 2007, was wrong, does that mean Mr. Musharraf will be hanged?
Hell, no. Not in this case. Someone has to register a separate case against the former president for that to happen. And even then it’s not guaranteed.
It is the fate of the two jobless judges that is being decided, not Musharraf’s.
Case closed.
I am sure Mr. Musharraf will have a good night's sleep in London tonight without any worry.
A word for the judges: Maybe the Supreme Court of Pakistan should probe the case of the politician caught red handed in credit card theft and fraud and is still walking free, thanks to the plane hijacker whom the court found not guilty a few days ago.
Or how about the other provincial minister who almost raped a woman and then settled quietly out of court and continues to be in his job.
Better still, maybe the Supreme Court should take up NRO, the law that washed clean our President, his Interior Minister and terrorists from several Pakistani political parties that pretend to be parties when they are actually made up of thugs and criminals.
[I won't mention the minister suspected of protecting the accused in burying three women alive in Balochistan, or the feudal lords who threw a pregnant young woman to hungry dogs in Sindh. It's hard to believe I am still talking about our 'democracts', these gems of Pakistani democracy!].
Doing any of the above is better for the Supreme Court than wasting our time and its own by involving itself in issues like Musharraf or the case of the hijacker prime minister who endangered the country’s security and reputation by kidnapping the plane of the army chief.
Seriously, Pakistan these days is under the reign of the deranged. Who is guiltier? A former president who came to save the nation and ended up handing it over to criminals? Or criminals who think they are politicians and statesmen? Or judges who are making rulings as if they are living in Switzerland, as if Pakistan were some kind of a birthplace of democracy?
It’s a country ruled by thieves. Wake up, judges.
From taxes to governance, democracy is not working in Pakistan. Pakistanis are ready for it but their politician-landlords are not. Left to our powerbrokers, it will take us a long time to correct things. And we don’t have the luxury of time.
Last week Pakistan’s power corridors witnessed a coup against democracy. But it went underreported. Since the restoration of democracy last year, it was a matter of time before the political elite struck down local governments across the nation. Power in Pakistan is a closed monopoly of a few, more recycled than elected. Our political landlords can’t stand sharing power with local governments staffed by middle and lower class Pakistanis. So they have moved to reinstate bureaucrats as administrators instead of those elected by the people. It is easier to share power with an equally inept and corrupt bureaucracy.
The local governments might have had their share of problems. But a small, flawed window of opportunity for the middle and lower class Pakistanis to have a say in running their country has been closed. The local governments were also emerging as incubators for fresh faces since our political parties have effectively become family fiefdoms. No brownie points here for guessing why all the politicians in and out of power are almost united on this move.
Nor is this the only sign of failure. The Pakistani government and the opposition is an enterprise run by the superrich who now want to impose heavy taxes to cover their own massive spending, not to mention a checkered financial history. It is ironical that the two leading powerbrokers in the country at the moment, President Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, both saw their wealth multiply after stints in government.
This ruling class is spending more money than generating income and wants to fill the gap in the budget by heavily taxing the salaried and the poorer segments of Pakistanis. Which is everyone else except our politician-landlords. They control vast land holdings, monopolize the system, and stash their questionable wealth outside Pakistan. How will we bring change when our only choice is the same recycled elite?
This ruling class has run out of new ideas for the country. Instead we are watching Mr. Musharraf’s former information minister launch a new career that is based on ethnic and linguistic divide, which is the last refuge of failed politicians struggling to remain relevant.
The latest scandal of a sitting lady member of Punjab’s assembly is not an anomaly but a sign of decay. If the government is staffed by names that have been mired in financial controversy, the quality of those who’d replace them in an election is equally bad. The PML-N, whose ratings soared over the past few months, has produced a succession of scandals in less than six months that question the character of some of its senior members. The best part is that they all got away with what they did. So will the scandalized lady politician, somehow.
Under this ruling elite, hospitals in the country get away with administering fatal medicines to patients, every project of public good is an opportunity to mint money, and influential people get away with throwing a young pregnant woman to hungry dogs in order to settle a family dispute over land.
Instead of the begging bowl, we can introduce a viable educational and health care system in the country over the next few years financed exclusively through income tax on the wealthy.
But it won’t happen. Because Pakistan’s democracy is not meant for this. When our politician-landlords are not abusing it, America and Britain use it to get back at the Pakistani military for refusing to toe the strategic line.
Colour Revolutions is a term which collectively describes a number of revolutions/government overthrows in Asia and Eastern Europe in the late 1990s and 2000s. The term gained notoriety after the Orange Revolution of Ukraine in late 2004. Color Revolution was recently witnessed in Pakistan (Black) and Iran (Green)
The Lawyers’ Movement initially began as a results of the actions taken by General Pervez Musharraf on 9th March, 2007. Pervez Musharraf, after getting intelligence that Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was conspiring with Nawaz Sharif to overthrow the government called for a meeting and asking him to resign or face “charges of misconduct”. The Chief Justice refused to resign and preferred to defend the charges. Within two months the movement took the path of Color Revolution, getting enormous funds from USA and other countries with the main aim of destabilizing Pakistan and forcing Parvez Musharraf out of office. The organization and publicity of the entire campaign is calculated to have cost around Rs. 30 billion. How much did this cost Pakistan? There is no work done, however, a good estimate would be around US$ 100 billion.
Why America?
Although the movement was jump started by Nawaz Sharif, on the way it became the main vehicle for USA to remove Parvez Musharraf who was not going for US backed Central Asian pipelines but leaning towards China. Bush Administration was convinced by Dick Cheney that if Musharraf stays in power China will get the Central Asian fuels. After Dick Cheney’s February 2007 visit of Islamabad and Kabul CIA starts working with RAW in Afghanistan to arm the suicide bombers and militants in the Red Mosque in Islamabad as the first phase. The process takes nearly a month during which time in a seperate incident Musharraf dismisses the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Seeing the Lawyers Movement as a better vehicle, the American and Indian efforts turn from Red Mosque to the movement.
Another aspect of ousting Musharraf was his decision to clamp down on the drug trade through Pakistan. This would have affected above all, Ahmad Wali Karzai (younger brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai) who earns an annual profit of US$ 1 billion (10% of total Afghan drug money), CIA’s black operations wing and its related US personnel. Thus it was the personal agenda of many in Bush Administration and Pakistan and Afghanistan’s US Embassies to get Musharraf out before he puts a stop to the highly lucrative drug trade.
See: Afghan Drug Trade for a complete look on how many US Officers profit from Afghanistan’s opium trafficking.
Why Dick Cheney?
Early 2007 Parvez Musharraf had decided not to go for Unocal (now Chevron Corporation) and Halliburton backed Central Asian pipeline which would have cost Vice President Dick Cheney great sums of money. Thus a personal agenda was turned into a revolution. He tried all in his power to get Musharraf out within the tenure of his Vice Presidency and get Pakistani Government’s approval for the billions of dollars worth Central Asian pipeline to be built by Unocal and Halliburon.
Timeline of Lawyers’ Movement
* 04 Feb 2000: Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, then 52, is appointed to Pakistan’s Supreme Court. He supports President Parvez Musharraf, voting to ratify the general’s 1999 military coup.
* 30 Jun 2005: Mr Chaudhry is appointed chief justice, makes a speech talking of a “serious crisis of confidence between the people and the judiciary”.
* March 2005: the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) tries to acquire Unocal with a bid that valued Unocal at between $16 billion and $18 billion. Following a vote in the United States House of Representatives, the bid was referred to President George Bush, on the grounds that its implications for national security needed to be reviewed. CNOOC withdrew its bid. Soon after, Unocal merged with Chevron.
* 18 Jul 2005: The Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement, known also as the Indo-US Nuclear Deal, refers to a bilateral accord on civil nuclear cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of India.
* 23 Jun 2006: Supreme Court of Pakistan stops privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills.
* 26 Feb 2007: Dick Cheney visits Pakistan for few hours [1]. Mr. Cheney traveled with the deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Steve Kappes. Just hours after Vice President Dick Cheney delivered a stiff private message to President Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan, the Pakistani government lashed out with a series of statements insisting that “Pakistan does not accept dictation from any side or any source”[4].
* 09 Mar 2007: Musharraf removes Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, after the agencies find sufficient proof that he was conspiring with Nawaz Sharif against the government. Nawaz Sharif had promised to make him the President of Pakistan once he becomes the Primie Minister of Pakistan.
* 12 Mar 2007: Lawyers begin boycott of court cases and protests in support of Mr Chaudhry. Nawaz Sharif pumps millions of his own dollars into the lawyers protests. A major portion of this booty goes to Munir A. Malik and Aitzaz Ahsan as their “consultation fee”.
* 13 Mar 2007: Mr Chaudhry appears before a closed hearing of senior judges to answer allegations against him.
* 15 Mar 2007: An accute shortage of black colored jackets and coats appear throughout the country. Prices of black colored cloths and coats sky rocket because of the demand. (The Reason: Thousands of people are buying black coats which represent lawyers uniform ahead of the protests in the country).
* 16 Mar 2007: Violence breaks out at Islamabad rally in support of Mr Chaudhry.
* 27 Mar 2007: President Musharraf tells rally in Rawalpindi that no one will be allowed to politically exploit Mr Chaudhry’s suspension.
* 27 Mar 2007: Burqa-clad female students from the mosque’s Jamia Hafsa school abduct three women they accuse of running a brothel. The women are released after they “repent”.
* 30 Mar 2007: Authorities shut down an illegal FM radio station set up by the students and hardline clerics to propagate their strict version of Islam.
* 12 May 2007: Riots erupted across Karachi (2007 Karachi Riots), capital of the province of Sindh and the most populous city in Pakistan, spurred by the arrival of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan.
* 18 May 2007: Red Mosque students seize four policemen and demand that authorities release 11 comrades being held in detention. The four policemen are later freed.
* 9 Jun 2007: Benazir summoned senior party members to Dubai on 9 June 2007 for a ‘briefing’ by a team from the US Democratic Party’s National Democratic Institute (NDI), ostensibly on the subject of elections in Pakistan. The ruling Republican Party’s International Republican Institute (IRI) had conducted the previous four ‘briefings’ in June and September 2006 and March and April 2007. Benazir leaned towards the Democratic Party in the last one no doubt as a hedge against the party’s possible victory at the forthcoming US Presidential Election.
* 23 Jun 2007: Students kidnap nine people, including six Chinese women, and accuse them of running a brothel. They are released after about 17 hours.
* 29 Jun 2007: President Pervez Musharraf says suicide bombers from an al Qaeda-linked militant group are in Lal Masjid.
* 03 Jul 2007: the stand-off between the students barricaded inside the Red Mosque (Lal Masjid) and the government results in bloody gun battles
* 04 Jul 2007: Abdul Aziz, chief cleric of Lal Masjid is caught while trying to flee in a burqa. Thousands of students surrender for Rs 5000 and safe passage each.
* 08 Jul 2007: The standoff between the Pakistani government and the clerics of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad finally broke down on the morning of 8 July 2007. Government storms the mosque. The government managed to recover 1,300 men, women and children during the operation. Some of these women, who were recovered safely on the last day of the operation, had their written death wishes with them. Six hundred suicide bombers are present in Karachi revealed Qasim Toori and Danish alias Talha during interrogations by law-enforcement agencies. Most of the suicide bombers are also former students of Islamabad’s Lal Masjid.
* 17 Jul 2007: Assassination attempt is made on Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry however, he escapes[3].
* 20 Jul 2007: the Supreme Court of Pakistan restored the Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry with full dignity and authority.
* 24 Jul 2007: Abdullah Mehsud is killed by Pakistani security forces.
* 20 Aug 2007: Ifikhar Mohammad threatened Tariq Pervez (the director-general of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency) with jail if he did not produce ghost detainee Hafiz Abdul Basit. Chief Justice Chaudhry ordered “He must be produced today or you will be sent to the lock-up.” Under this threat he was released by the intelligence agencies. Hafiz Basit was later implicated by Musharaff government in the assassination of Ms Bhutto.
* Sep 2007: Benazir visited the Senate in September 2007, she had convinced the Bush Administration of her unswerving loyalty; for ’she received a standing ovation from a select gathering of US lawmakers, diplomats, academics and media representatives. This contrasted sharply with her previous visits to the US capital when she received little attention.’
* Three weeks later Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made it appear the Bush Administration wished to bring together ‘moderate’ forces, implying a scenario in which Musharraf and Benazir would join forces as President and Prime Minister respectively; and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte corroborated Rice: ‘Our message’, he intoned, ‘is that we want to work with the government and people of Pakistan’.
* 18 Oct 2007: An assassination attempt on Benazir Bhutto is made (2007 Karachi Bombing) but she survives. President Parvez Gen Musharraf calls the attack on Ms Bhutto’s convoy was a “conspiracy against democracy”[2] (hinting towards the US involvement towards overthrowing the government).
* 03 Nov 2007: Musharraf imposed state of emergency. Constitution was suspended. Sixty independent judges were dismissed. Intelligence agencies start systematically killing behind the scene key players in the conspiracy to overthrow the government. Some of these include: Zubair Ahmed Mujahid (shot dead 23 Nov),
* 05 Nov 2007: Police raided the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA). After baton charging and throwing tear gas into the premises, arrested more than 800 lawyers.
* In the wake of the imposition of emergency rule in Pakistan, on November 14, 2007, the Harvard Law School Association decided to award its highest honour, the Medal of Freedom, to Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, following the military crackdown the previous week. He becomes the first Pakistani to be presented with such honour.
* The National Law Journal picked Mr. Chaudhry as the lawyer of the year for 2007.
* The Association of the Bar of the City of New York granted Iftikhar Chaudhry an honorary membership in the association on Nov. 17, 2008, recognizing him as a “symbol of the movement for judicial and lawyer independence in Pakistan.”
* 27 Dec 2007: Benazir Bhutto is assassinated while Nawaz Sharif escapes an assassination attempt. The two attempts are very different in nature. Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in a typical CIA style while Nawaz Sharif’s attack was more like a domestic killing. It is obvious that Asif Ali Zardari acted on his own to carry out Nawaz Sharif’s assassination. Following Benazir’s assassination planned riots, looting and chaos errupts simultaneously throughout the country. Within a week the country looses nearly 10 billion dollars[5].
* 9 Mar 2008: leaders of political parties Asif Ali Zardari , Pakistan Peoples Party and Nawaz Sharif Pakistan Muslim League signed an agreement to restore the judges within 300 days of formation of national government. Zardari backed out and the coalition failed to restore the judges.
* 24 Mar 2008: Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered, soon after being elected Prime Minister, that all detained judges be released.
* 12 Mar 2008: was another deadline for restoring the judges but nothing was done. This was the second commitment the government backed out from after the initial deadline of ‘within 30 days of formation of government’ which ended on 30 April, 2008.
* 14 Jun 2008: A long march is held by the lawyers.
* 07 Jul 2008: ISI explodes a bomb outside Indian Embassy in Kabul killing Brigadier Ravi Datt Mehta who had coordinated the mayhem in Pakistan in December 2007.
* 03 Aug 2008: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani visits US.
* 08 Aug 2008: ruling coalition leaders Sharif and Zardari once more agree to restore Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry as the chief justice if Musharraf resigns. But when Musharraf steped down, Zardari backed out of the deal for the third time.
* 18 Aug 2008: Musharraf resigns.
Foreign investment and funds in the revolution stops at this point.
* 25 Aug 2008: PML-N leaves the coalition government.
* 6 Sept 2008: Asif Ali Zardari is elected the President of Pakistan by the parliament.
* 25 Feb 2009: Supreme Court disqualifies Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif from holding or contesting public offices.
* 11 Mar 2009: Several hundred lawyers and opposition party’s political workers and leaders were arrested. Ban was placed on rallies and protests in two of the Pakistan’s four provinces.
* 12 Mar 2009: Lawyers, political workers and civil society gather in several cities for the Long March to Islamabad. Scuffle with police, hundred of arrests were made, none allowed to leave their cities for Islamabad.
* 15 Mar 2009: authorities placed Nawaz Shairf, Atizaz Ahsan and many other leaders under house arrest. Shairf broke through the road blocks with his supporters and came out on the roads in Lahore to begin the Long March. This is believed to be the turning point of the movement Thousands of people joined the rally.
* Midnight 15/16 March, 2009 government gave when thousands of people moved towards Islamabad lead by Nawaz Sharif. Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry was restored as Chief Justice of Pakistan and other judges dismissed by Musharraf.
US and Canadian Involvement
During the Lawyers’ Movement a completely new dimension of indrect involvement of USA in overthrowing a government was seen. The prominent of these were:
* 33 US Senators wrote to President Musharraf to release Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan immediately.
* The US magazine Foreign Policy named Aitzaz Ahsan as one of the top 100 public intellectuals in the world in May 2008.
* In early 2007, Musharraf was extremely popular. According to a US survey, IRI President General Pervez Musharraf was more popular in Pakistan than opposition leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Around 37 per cent of the respondents were of the view that Musharraf’s supported PML-Q deserved to be re-elected. However, by August 2007, after the lawyers Judicial Activism started, Musharraf became slightly unpopular in Pakistan due to persistent media efforts and anti-Musharraf talk shows. An International Republican Institute survey, taken of 3000 people, showed that 64 percent of the population did not want another term to be granted to Musharraf as the president of Pakistan.
* USAID spent more than US$ 150 million (part of the American fund on terrorism which is “given” to Pakistan) within a year on helpding the movement.
* GEO TV which charges Rs. 100,000 per minute of air time showed continued transmissions of upto 30 hours. During the year the channel was spending more money than it showed in its tax returns. The only unaccounted profit was for “Voice of America” show. But whatever GEO TV was getting for airing the show it was enough to turn higher profits than airing aids for 30 hours (=Rs. 180,000,000 or US$ 3 million). And we are taking about this much money every day.
* Why was Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) distributing funds during the movement is anybody’s guess?
* Human Rights Commission, e.g. see the case of Imran Munir
Impact of Lawyers’ Movement
Pakistan’s economy suffered gravely, government focus shifted from work and economy to non-violent solution for the lawyers. PML-N was already fully involved from the onset, however, other political parties also jumped on the band wagon causing more disruption in daily life. The poorest and daily labourers suffered the most because of strike calls and road blockages.
The real story on the road was that poorest don’t wake up every morning to see Iftikhar Choudhry wearing a black suite, sunglasses, sitting in a new car parading on the streets of Pakistan, the poorest wake up and hope for a better day, a day in which they can increase their earnings and support their family, bring food to the table, they don’t want to see the roads blocked and strikes called which stop them from earning their daily livelihoods.
As the riots and protests were held in the summer months, the intense head resulted in numerous deaths and hospital admissions because of heat exhaustion, nearly all of which were small time lawyers and their family members travelling either on foot or in non-airconditioned cars.
However, the behind the scene aim of ousting Parvez Musharraf was achieved at the end.
Go Musharraf Go
Interestingly enough the salogans along the protests were not anything like “bring back Iftikhar Chaudhry” but they were “Go Musharraf Go, Go Musharraf Go.” The questions need to be answered that if the lawyers really wanted Iftikhar Chaudhry reinstated then why were they continuously chanting “Go Musharraf Go”.
Also, there were sixty judges dismissed however, only one was being paraded around and continuously given coverage and publicity.
End Result
Dick Cheney achieved the milestone of ousting Pervez Musharraf however, his final goal of getting the pipeline deals for his company did not materialize even after the change of the regime.
Winners
* Asif Ali Zardari – became President of Pakistan and had doubled his wealth within a year
* Asif Zardari’s friends
* Aitzaz Ahsan – earned world-wide fame, became a hero in Pakistan – monetary benefits yet to come
* Munir A. Malik – earned tens of millions of dollars
Indirect Beneficiaries
There were some indirect beneficiaries of the entire movement such as:
* Imran Munir
Collateral
Or in other words, Losers.
* Benazir Bhutto (assassinated 27 December 2007) – she was in for power
* Pervez Musharraf – out of office
* Syed Hammad Raza (shot dead 14 May 2007) – he was in to get an important political seat
* Kenneth Scott Andrew (murdered 8 April 2007) – to get promoted
* Zubair Ahmed Mujahid (shot dead 23 Nov) – to get promoted
* Dick Cheney – did not get the pipeline deal
* Brigadier Ravi Datt Mehta (assassinated 7 July 2008) – to get promoted to Major General
Lesson
Lesson: Unless you are as cunning and conniving as Munir A. Malik or Aitzaz Ahsan in a high level and stakes conspiracy you are very probable to end up dead. Don’t play for emotions or ego, play for money and you will win.
Mr Qasim this is a post taken from the stupid blog and mailing list of Mr Ahmad Qureshi.He is also an admirer of Mr Musharraf and was against lawyers movement..
These irrelevant and conspiracy theory posts are of no use as people know what kind of person Musharrf was and what kind of corrupt people supported him(pervaiz Ilahi, Shujjat hussain, Sherafgan, Sheikh Rashid to name a few)
I just saw his repulsive interview on AAj TV…I was wondering how a Grade 22 Military officer could buy an apartment in London and also maintain a huge Billion rupees farm house in Islamabad at the same time…..May be the Americans are right that where did their 10 billions dollars aid vanish…
@Zainab
Stop being ignorant and jealous! World knows and you should also know that Mr. Musharraf is traveling on a lucrative speaking tour through Middle East, Europe and United States. Chicago-based Embark LLC is one of the international public-relations firms landed Musharraf as a world's highest paid keynote speaker. According to Embark President David B. Wheeler, the speaking fee for Musharraf is $200,000 for a day plus jet and other V.I.P. arrangements on the ground.
He is earning great and now well off enough to easily afford two more apartments in UK.
Please STOP spreading lies and confusing innocent Pakistanis
Cheers
Saira,
Thanks for the enlightment. I thought Bill Clinton was the highest paid speaker and I believed it based on his abilities…But Musharraf????
$200,000 for what???? I wouldn't give him $20 for speaking for 5 minutes.
Does he have better speaking capabilities than Bill Clinton, Stephen Covey or Anthony Robbins. I bet you are hell bound to prove how capable this thug is.
You will have to give me the link to your statement to believe you.
Or may be this is a way to pay for his past services that he rendered, and then how else can you money launder?
Well said Jami…These Musharraf admirers can do to any extent in making up things for their favorite bastard….
And as far as Saira's false claim about Mushrarraf being paid 200,000 per day it is all lies and nonsense…
Here are the actual wording s from the company's website
http://www.embarkteam.com/pages/speakers_bureau/5…
The Embark Speakers Bureau, a division of Embark LLC, represents dynamic, and innovative speakers for the meetings, conventions and events markets. Most of our speakers perform speaking engagements for a modest fee – in the mid-tier price range of $5,000 – $25,000.
Sorry Sister Saira it is you who is spreading rumors to defend a defeated and retarded General( afraid of coming back to Pakistan)
And also check out this link which exposes The Theif Musharraf in detail
http://www.paklinks.com/gs/pakistan-affairs/32257…