Adil Najam
I do not think that I am the only who who has been quite stunned by the near-total radio silence from Gen. Pervez Musharraf since he was forced out of the President’s office.
Of course, one realizes that he has probably been advised – maybe ‘told’ – to keep a low profile by the military itself. Possibly, that was part of the unstated ‘deal’ that led to his resignation. Moreover, one must confess, that given all the passions he can still ignite amongst his detractors as well as his supporters, it is probably a good think that he has kept a low profile. Pakistan is already too traumatic a place. There is already “too much news” in Pakistan as it is. A little quiet from the Pervez Musharraf front is, therefore, probably good for the general and good for Pakistan too.
But that being as it is, one is quite surprised at the silence nonetheless. Silence is certainly not characteristic of the man. And he obviously has a lot that he could say, especially given all the events since his departure. That he has kept his restrain – or been made to keep his restrain – is, therefore, certainly surprising and possibly admirable.
Except, that it seems that he has finally broken the silence – but only briefly and most cautiously. One hears that he will also soon start saying more – on the international lecture circuit. Whether one agrees with him or not, it will no doubt be worth a listen.
News channels in Pakistan have reported on remarks after Eid prayers at the Army House. According to The News:
Former president Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said he would not leave the country. He made these remarks after offering Eid prayers in Army House today. Musharraf said several foreign institutes and non-government organization (NGOs) were inviting him to present lectures. “I will start the visits once some matters related to the invitations are finalized.†he added. Condemning the Marriott hotel suicide blast, Musharraf said military operation against militants should continue. Bajaur operation has started to produce results, he noted.
Gen. Musharraf remains at the Army House along with his family and while his days since his resignation have been quiet – or at least unreported upon – Eid day at the Army House was far from quiet. Reportedly he received a number of Eid guests and well-wishers, including retired and serving military military officers, friends, businessmen, and politicians.
Reports suggest that he strongly denied any plans of moving abroad, reaffirmed his intention to remain in Pakistan, did say that he might go abroad on a lecture tour after settling his affairs in Pakistan, said that the Bajur operation has been a success and needs to be a success in the future, condemned the Marriott Hotel bombing, and said that he was having an “excellent time” since he resigned because it had given him time to spend with his family, friends, and to pursue other activities like reading.
Nothing in what he said to his Eid visitors is surprising. That is the nice chit chat that Eid gatherings are supposed to be about. But one does wonder what he is really thinking? What he has really been doing (I hope that he actually has been reading, which is always a good thing)? How has he been coping with the transition? How has he dealt with being everywhere all the time to being near invisible? And, what is it that he will say when he gives these lectures.
I suspect that we will never find the answers to any of the above, except for the very last one. That, I think, we will find out soon enough. But I have a sense I already know the script of that one. But I will be attentively listening nonetheless.
Pakdemocrat:
Your rant is the same nonsense the politicians used to dupe the moron Pakistani public. Space is sparse here so i will briefly answer:
1. Thousands of Pakistanis are engaged in terrorism and crime. These suicide bombers, carjackers, mafias and kidnappers dont just fall from the sky or materialize out of nowhere. I am glad
2. Economy did very well under Musharraf, including the middle class. You can see it in the increasing number of consumer goods purchased by the middle class,as well as investment in the country and factories, which led to increase in electricity demand. Musharraf however failed to keep up with the rise in electricity demand.
3. Asif Zardari, the most corrupt man in Pakistan, is your President, and the cult of Bhutto your governing party. I say you are worse off today then you were under Musharraf.
4. For all your barking, what change in policies has the new govt brought? Is your Chief Justice restored ? AQ Khan free? terrorism gone ? American attacks gone? anything ?
Let us not forget that this fellow had complete and absolute power for nearly nine years – even longer than his friend G.W.Bush.
For those wishing him to absolve him of the complete mess that Pakistan currently finds itself in, I would politely suggest that they should question their sanity.
In recent years we have witnessed 1000’s of Pakistani citizens locked up by secret agencies, a blood bath of sorts in Balochistan and other ‘traitorous’ parts of the country. The treasury was virtually empty by the time of the elections. Now we have power shortages, food shortages, high inflation and agency-created militants terrorizing us out of existence.
On the other hand our rich elite doubled, quadrupled , quintupled their fortunes on an annual basis. Roll Royces became available on order in Lahore, while BMWs, Porches, etc arrived in large numbers on our pot-holed roads. Sharemarket, property speculators and insider traders made their billions.
Today the majority of Pakistanis have difficulty in not only making ends meet but in actually feeding their families properly.
So I say a Pox on Musharraf and his nine years of illegal misgovernance.
what a coward who can’t even come out of his hole. If you ask me he should be brought out of his hideout in army house and put on trial. that should be a good start and then the rest of the criminals (from previous and present government) should be brought to justice. they have been sucking our blood for too long and its time for them to get what they deserve.
its his brilliant 9 years the result of which is being faced by innocent pakistanis.
I wouldn’t speak if I were him also. He should be as quiet as a mute.
I hope these politicians get what they deserve and kayani takes over and installs Musharraf as the president.
I really want that to happen..I am sure I am not the only one thinking like that.
My personal observation during his time in office has been that he used to go into silence for sometime while everyone else is talking and used to wait for everyone to say what anyone wanted to say. This time I feel that he is waiting for everyone to do what they can do about the affairs. We can then expect him to speak up when he feels the time has come for it.