So finally, General Pervez Musharraf would become Mr. Pervez Musharraf on Thursday when he will be sworned in as a civilian president at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, Islamabad (13th president of Pakistan). Gen. Musharraf will retire after occupying Chief of the Army Staff post for more than nine years. Given a choice, I am sure he would have loved to continue for another 5-10 years and beat the record set by late Gen. Zia. But anyways, Musharraf paid farewell visits to Joint Staff, Air and Naval headquarters today where he met senior military officials one last time as COAS. Former DG ISI, Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani will take over as new Chief of the Army Staff from Thursday. ATP readers who wish to know more about Gen. Kayani may find this bbc article very interesting.
Musharraf is taking his uniform off at a time when he has become highly unpopular, country is under unnecessary Martial Law, judiciary has been completely destroyed, lawyers and civil society are on the streets protesting against him, media is under severe curbs and he hardly has any friends left anywhere. It would be interesting to see how Gen. Musharraf survives in future as a civilian president.
He would require endorsement of PCO and all his actions since November 3 from newly elected assembly, if elections are held, which will be an uphill task and I really don’t see HOW it will happen unless Q-League wins again.
But then again, anything is possible in Pakistan. Who knows, Q-League wins with a heavy mandate this time after brilliant performance of 5 years in power.
According to Daily Times:
President General Pervez Musharraf would take oath as civilian president at 11am on Thursday, but before this he would relinquish charge of chief of army staff (COAS) to start his second term as president of Pakistan.
“Yes, he is going to take oath at 11am on Thursday,” Musharraf’s spokesman Maj Gen (r) Rashid Qureshi told Daily Times on Monday. He also confirmed that the Ministry of Defence had issued a notification of his retirement as army chief after being in office for nine years.
Farewell: Defence Ministry sources said Musharraf would start holding farewell meetings today (Tuesday) – a clear indication that he had decided to call it a day. “Musharraf will meet top military commanders, principal staff officers and senior colleagues,” defence sources said. The formal handing over of charge to his successor is also part of the farewell proceedings, they added. The sources said Musharraf was fulfilling the promise he made to the nation and the Supreme Court of vacating the army post before taking oath as president. Preparations for the ceremony to mark the change of army command are underway, and a formal ceremony will take place at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, defence sources said.
After the completion of the ceremony, the Defence Ministry will announce the appointment of the new chief of army staff, sources said. A special meeting of corps commanders is expected before the handing over ceremony, they added.
Born in 1943 in New Delhi, Musharraf enrolled in the Kakul Military Academy in 1961. He was commissioned in the Artillery Regiment in 1964. Former premier Nawaz Sharif appointed him as the country’s 13th army chief on October 8, 1998. On October 12, 1999, he ousted Sharif in a bloodless coup and bundled him off to Saudi Arabia on December 10, 2000. On October 7, 2001, Musharraf extended his military term, which is supposed to be a three-year tenure post, for an unspecified period. After the late General Ziaul Haq, who was army chief for more than 12 years from April 1, 1976 to August 17, 1988, Musharraf’s tenure as army chief has been the longest. Last week, the new SC judges validated Musharraf’s victory in an October 6 presidential election, clearing the way for him to serve a further five years in office.
Army security, staff to stay: Sources said President Musharraf’s security would remain entrusted to the army, even after taking oath as a civilian president. A special contingent of Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group, headed by a brigadier, has been tasked with ensuring Musharraf’s security. General Musharraf has also decided to retain his current military staff after resigning as army chief, it was learnt. This includes a full time military secretary, deputy military secretary and deputy chief of staff.
It is too early and premature to say what legacy Gen. Musharraf is leaving as COAS and how he will be remembered. Only time will tell. After all, he is still going to rule us for another 5 years (atleast he thinks that way). So what if he is wearing a suit this time. But lets just hope that Gen. Kayani stays away from politics and takes serious steps to improve the deteriorating image of Pakistan Army.
Tribute to courage of ‘uncle’ judges
By Our Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The daughter of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has written an open letter to all judges who refused to take the oath under the Provisional Constitution Order, appreciating their courage in what she called not succumbing to any kind of pressure.
“We will feel proud to tell our youngsters that our elders did not succumb to any kind of pressure no matter how hard things were around them,” said the letter entitled “I am a proud child”, written by Palwasha Iftikhar Chaudhry, 16.
Miss Palwasha is a student of A-Level and has been under house-arrest with her father since November 3. The letter was disseminated to the press by a lawyer who is close to the family.
“We may not be allowed to attend our schools or universities, we may have got our mobile phones blocked, we may not be allowed to meet anyone or go out, we may be kept in our homes like prisoners, we may be treated like militants or terrorists, but we do not care because it’s a time of sacrifice and we have to do it.
“This letter is for all the judges who refused to take oath under the PCO and who happen to be my uncles as well,” she said, adding that she had never thought that one day she would have to convey her message to the people through this mode.
The letter said: “This might be one of the crucial times we are facing but we should be proud that Allah chose us to sacrifice for this country.
“Yes it is indeed a sacrifice which we have to bequeath, not for ourselves but for this country. Ever since I opened my eyes I have seen my father affiliated with the judiciary and now it is like a part of our lives. Our life is like a tree and the judiciary is one of its branches.
“We have grown up with this branch and we cannot let anybody slice it. If we will not protect it, then who else will?”
http://dawn.com/2007/11/30/top12.htm
A plea to Sultan Musharraf: Please, step back. We request status quo ante of 11/3. You received poor advice. You are a good man. And we love you.
But we cannot let it pass. Please reconsider.
Pakistan Zindabad
Pakistan Pa’indabad
Here is what Khalid Masood Khan, a humorist poet (already covered on this blog), had to say on the subject of Musharraf taking off his uniform:
Desi murghi ka ho anda jaisay zardi kay baghair
Waisa apna sadar ho ga khaki wardi kay baghair
P.S: Khan wrote these lines much earlier
We as Pakistani should be proud of Mr. President Pervaiz Musharraf; so far he is the most successful person who serve, built, develop Pakistan. His efforts were never appreciated i dont know why, saveral people said sharif will save Pakistan how come people dont see i dont know. he has industries in Saudi Arabia, business in UK, Europe. they do think Benazir will save pakistan; about her family i dont know that people dont know she is already living a leisure life in UAE she invested in saveral business over there like Hotels, towers, buildings etc. they both eaten the right of all poor people in pakistan and they were exile and they are treated now as hero. there is no comparison of Musharraf and Shoukat aziz with them. they both have landlords mentallity, they are selfish.
Musharraf is in the interest of Pakistan i hope everyone can see this blindly. You can see shoukat aziz one of the best financial personnel in the world, already submitted his request not to be part of election anymore now he wants to serve his country in different area. Did your nawaz & benezir did this. Pakistan doesnot belong to there fore fathers, that each n everytime they will become PM or minister, please try to understand and cast your vote to president musharraf party. otherwise you will again give the country;s command in wrong hands.
Interesting. Unless we change our foreign poilicy this civil war will not end, no matter who is ruling. But cost of changing policy can be even higher then this limited civil war.
“http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2007/11/ 071130_taliban_uniform_sen.shtml”
We need democracy, but you guys really think that leaders like Imran khan, BB and NS are democtaric or they are using democracy as covers.
Once they will come in power, they will do every thing to curb media freedom and to de-rail juditionary.
I liked the article of LA times. True depiction of Pakistani politics.
The only problem with Imran khan is that he is islamist, otherwise we have not tested him before.
Between, does anyone know where is Imran khan and who is he hidding from now?
hahaha @ Ahmad!
People feel the same as musharraf did leaving a place after 45 years. If someone doesnt then it means he is not committed to his profession. As he said; ‘Pak Army is the Best in this world’ and it is soo true.
zia, Musharraf’s decision to fire CJ has been controversial. Other then that the corrupt politicians are continously giving anti-musharraf statements, the extremists and militants do not want him anyway and the Media is being very pesimistic, only focussing on Musharrafs mistakes. He isnt God, he is a human like!
Why any of the news channels have never made a documentary on NS or BB’s corruption cases?? WHY?
Hypocrates!
The way Musharraf started crying when he doffed his uniform and when he took oath as the civilian president, it seems like he has started loosing his mental balance, if there ever was any.