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Musharraf’s politics & ‘Nawaz phobia’
Amjad Malik writes on General Musharraf’s return to politics and his
statements in UK
(Retd) General Pervez Musharraf’s attack on former prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif declaring him responsible for Karachi riots and flimsy ‘oratory’ on the first day of the launch of his new party (APML) at Birmingham ridiculing Sharif and condemning his workers with unacceptable verbal attack is the way Musharraf played nine years in his unbridled regime and wishes to continue. Musharraf’s attack to gain political advantage is not without purpose and contains an element of incitement to racial hatred in the burning city of Karachi. He is doing this on his own or on someone’s behest is not clear either, the very people who provided him shelter and guard of honour has a stake and some degree of control on his survival and fiery oratory from overseas despite a blatant assassination of Be Nazir Bhuttoo in his regime. Critics term that Musharraf’s politics irrelevant, oratory poisonous, and remarks are condemnable as he is suffering from ‘Nawaz phobia’, and they are not wrong. His personal and unwarranted criticism is intolerable on a renowned journalist of Pakistan, Capital Talk fame anchor Hamid Mir who stood with his fellow journalist community for ‘free media’ in the testing times after 3 Nov emergency when his programme was banned to come on air in Pakistan. that ‘Criticism on Hamid Mir is like spitting on moon’.
I think seeing an opportunity Retired General wishes to score political mileage in Karachi, gaining sympathies from MQM leadership and widening the gulf for PML and but trusting retired military man is an uphill task too when he has questions to answer for his hands in Akbar Bugti’s and Ms. Bhuttoo’ killing. Latest revelations on MQM boss is not surprising either. He should come clean on allegations whether he ever offered to ‘bump of’ Karachi leader in London and a high powered commission must be set up to probe such statement attributed to him in public domain about these killings. I demanded of such probe under a commission consisting of Iftikar Ch, general kiyani and a medial forensic expert on 27 December 2007 when an issue of Bhuttoo’s assassination was under discussion and still the only way forward is a high powered Pakistan led probe at some point in future if not now.
Musharraf’s crimes are unlimited and list is exhaustive. He should go to Pakistan to show his bravery, as his claims cannot be given credence because his past speaks for itself and despite bad governance in Pakistan, he may not be the cure of Pakistani situation at all. He came to rule on his seven points agenda and corruption was ripe in his regime. When he sacked Chief Justice, the write reminded him on 14 March 2007 in a correspondence that, “Government with Steel Mill Judgment, land grabbing mafia, sugar and cement crisis, continuous stock exchange crash(es), and Nabbed’ ministers amongst their ranks will struggle to prove beyond reasonable doubt the issue of misconduct and abuse of power especially when they themselves drive bullet proof cars at public expense. However current situation desires all heads of constitutional tracheotomy including Chief executive, Legislature and Judicature to observe extreme patience and wisdom and be visionary to avoid conflicts which have serious repercussions for the state of Pakistan. I will just mention here a lesson of history though we tend not to learn the lesson(s) of history and forget it quickly. Around the year of 1616 The Queen Elizabeth the First of England tried to subdue her Chief Justice Mr. Justice Edward Coke and people resented and took to street and made him a living legend, its still time to hold the last assault and the nail in coffin which will portray you a wiser ruler otherwise the nation is ready to hug another martyr of fate”. Same happened on 16 March 2009 when people took to street and returned with the restoration announcement of the Chief justice of Pakistan.
In the last days he installed current govt by introducing NRO(National Reconciliation Ordinance) so how will he wipe corruption when he himself pardoned over eight thousand in one go is a million dollar question, though he repents issuing that ordinance but there is no use crying over spilt milk. He made Dr Qadeer Khan an example of revenge and hatred, eliminated Akbar Bugti off the scene and boasted of his artistry and skill to hit from the back. He unlawfully confined judges to their houses , banned popular media programmes and never felt ashamed.
He confessed daringly that he handed over many to USA for dollars including Dr Afia Siddiqui who was sentenced for over 80 years and on top of it breached his oath and mutilated constitution of Pakistan twice. Musharraf took an oath, “That I will not engage myself in any political activities whatsoever and that I will honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan as required by and under the Law” makes it clear that he breached the very oath by splashing official secrets in his book, ‘ in the line of fire’, he sold Pakistanis to Americans, made Q league despite in uniform and allowed drone attacks. If Army had not restricted his activities he would have sold his motherland to Indians. The General who claims to have come nearer to victory in Kargil ran leaving behind innocent soldiers as collateral damage crying for help. Later he begged Indians to resume dialogue when in power, and the very dearest and nearest Indian Govt refused him visa which shows his international calibre and capacity.
It is public knowledge which forces reward their ponies with a lecture circa and for what services. General Musharraf has been amply rewarded for his services to Americans and his pay masters are happy paying his lecture fees to listen to him for his services to them but not for Pakistan as if there is a dearth of scholars in USA. Its due to him that drones are falling like a firework in the frontier areas of Pakistan. Its pity that his own countrymen are not willing to pay a dime to share his ideas of imposing military coup de Tat’s in Pakistan and no wonder no Islamic countries have any interest in his wisdom and dubious statesmanship. Its pity that Islamic history and graveyards are full of the skeletons of the likes of Mir Jaffar’s.
General is wooing the Overseas Pakistanis too, the very people whom he did not even give right to vote in his 9 years rule though he used their consent cleverly in his presidential ‘referendum, ’ and allowed them to cast vote through Pakistani missions. Despite announcing that Pakistani parties should not have branches overseas, he himself started his politics from the very London depicts his dual personality full of double standards. Pakistani nation is eagerly waiting for him to return and General Musharraf is dreaming for another army rule and all I can say is, ‘dream on’.
Barrister Amjad Malik, is a Chair Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK) and petitioned against pervez Musharraf when he sacked Chief Justice (Const. Pet. No.15/2007) and represented premier Nawaz Sharif when he attempted to return from London on 10 Sept 2007.
Monday, 17 January 2011
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