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.
How the mighty have fallen!, praise goes to the lawyers movement, judiciary and civil society who reminded us all that Pakistan is for Pakistanis and not for her khaki kings.
Its disappointing that Mush never heeded my advice in an open letter sent to him and posted elsewhere which if accepted as constructive criticism could have saved him and more importantly Pakistan from the chaos we have today. Do have a read of it by scrolling down and using link below: http://www.otherpakistan.org/archive.html
So as the khaki king departs soon his alter ego the zombie president will also find that his time is up. A new Pakistan is taking shape, lets create an ‘other’ Pakistan, the Quaid’s Pakistan.
Feimanallah Pakistan
Wasim
Well very rightly said that we can’t predict at the moment that president Musharraf is going to last for five more years. At the moment a silent prayers is coming to my heart and rightly echoed in our national Anthem:
“Pak sar Zameen Shad bad”
May peace prevail in Pakistan!
May peace prevail on Earth!!!!!
Just keep on blaming America for everything is not wise. Yes the whole world knows Iraq invasion was bad. But no nuclear Power in the world has danger of extremist taking over nukes.
But Pakistan has those issues. Islam never says kill innocents or non Muslims to spread Islam.These evils are beheading Pakistani Army?
These extremists do not understand Islam was spread with examples not with violence. Just think of Christians if they decide to kill Muslims if Muslims do not convert to Christianity? How would this feel? Wouldn’t Muslim be scared of extremist Christian state with nukes?
Muslim Scholars must speak out against these extremists. Pakistan must act civilized or give up Nukes.
And why not act civilized? This will only result in better Pakistan.
Allah Bless Pakistan
Razi says: OK Musharaf is now gone
Mushraf many of us love you. Please do not leave Pakistan in the hands of Power Hungary politicians. Many in Pakistan already feeling that father figure who was protecting Pakistan is not there. Like an Umbrella was keep the corrupt showers away.
Allah Bless Pakistan