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.
@ Some of the comments are asking too much from
Musharraf, they know, they won’t get what they wish,
should not exaggerate, their voice is like :
“Naqqaar Khanay mein tooti ki awaz”
even BB has start loving him and making
publicity for him, For us and millions other
Musharraf must hand over to NAWAZ SHAREEF and
thats it, we will be convinced only when this happens,
He can remain President, if every one agrees, but PM
IS NAWAZ SHAREEF. We will not accept anything less
than that.
Musharraf fulfilled the promise he kept to the nation. I dont remember BB or Nawaz keeping any promises.
I wish Mr Musharraf a successful five more years in which he crushed the terrorists who have been holding a gun to the head of Pakistans.
Tribute to courage of
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.