Gen. Musharraf Speaks: But What Is He Thinking?

Posted on October 2, 2008
Filed Under >Adil Najam, People, Politics
49 Comments
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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.

49 responses to “Gen. Musharraf Speaks: But What Is He Thinking?”

  1. Viqar Minai says:

    We need to look at things dispassionately. Politics has changed in Pakistan as a result of the elections of Feb. 18/08 and, subsequent removal of Gen. Musharraf and the election of a new President.

    So what are the positives and negatives since the change occured?

    1. We now have a more democratic set up and, provided it is sustained, there is now a mechanism for the people to democratically cahnge the make up of their govt. every 5 years. This is, unquestionably, good.

    2. It may be less obvious that, now that Gen. Musharraf is (as well as his loyalists both in the civilian as well as the miltary departments are) out of the picture, there exists now an opportunity to assess (in time), not only the good and bad of his 8+ years of policies and governance, but also how much/many of the problems in Pak. politics are solely his responsibility. This, too, is a good thing.

    3. Admittedly 8 months is not enough time to pass judgement on the competence (or lack of it) of the new govt. set up. It is obvious that WOT/security situation, economy, foreign policy (particularly vis-a-vis US, India, Afghanistan), lack of electricity, problems in federal-provincial and inter-provincial relations and a host of other problems have no quick fix. It is too soon to pronounce judgement on the performance of the new govt. on any of these issues.

    4. Restoration of the pre-Nov 3/07 judiciary, however, is something that the new govt could easily have, and should have, done. That they did not do it, and not primarily because of petty opposition from political enemies, is a very big negative. It bodes ill for the future viability of a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Pakistan. The principle issue here is that the fundamental problem of CORRUPTION at individual as well as institutional (and other collective) levels cannot be acceptably arbitrated without a strong and independent judiciary. In the absence of justice, neither extremism, nor political or structural issues, detrimental to the prosperity and cohesion of the nation, can be settled; as a result Pakistan will remain a perpetually weak state .

    5. Another obvious issue where the new govt. could, and should, have affected quick redress is with the return of the missing people in Pakistan to their loved ones. This obscenity, and the failure to resolve it, can no longer be put at Musharraf’s door. This, too, is a big negative, and blot on the face of the basic human rights of common citizens.

    6. In the Musharraf era, there was a parliament and a prime minister, but they were there for showcasing purposes only. Neither entity, aside from the COAS-President, had any authority to function according to their expected role. Now that we have an elected civilian President, one can legitimately ask what has changed? The President, such as he is, is visible everywhere; Parliament exists but, though not rubber stamp, does not get to debate any issues of concern to the people of Pakistan, or to contribute to formulating policies. Decisions are still made behind closed doors by AZ/Rehman Malik/COAS. So in what sense is this a functioning democracy? It is an inexcusable and shameful vulgarity.

    Whether Musharraf remains silent or speaks on a lecture tour is irrelevant to the people of Pakistan. If he chooses to remain quiet, it could arguably be because of some deal under which he relinquished the Presidency; if he speaks it will be, again arguably, for his personal financial benefit, not to promote Pakistan’s national interest.

    Personally, I find it comical the Pakistanis are still fighting over whether Musharraf was, or the present politicians are, better for Pakistan. Neither of them are. The hope for Pakistan is, as it always was, with strong institutions and processes, not with any personality past or present. That we continue to be blind to it is, in itself, a major reason for pessimism with the future of the country.

  2. Ali Dada says:

    who cares about him. We Pakistanis have a serious addiction to conspiracies and personal lives of others.

    Let him be. I won’t say whether I supported him or not – it is all history and nothing can be retrieved from the past.

  3. Aamir Ali says:

    Let Pakistanis enjoy their democracy of crooks, slackers, liars and frauds. Its what they voted for.

    You can also put Musharraf on trial for whatever, though I think both the SC and the govt have validated the Nov 3, 2007 measures, so I am not sure how receptive Dogar will be to you. lol.

  4. Naseer says:

    — For God’s sake, General Sahib.
    Now is the time for you to be a ” statesman ”.
    Your lecture trips won’t yield anything, not for Pakistan.
    Do what Shaukat Aziz did (despite being got elected from two disparate constituencies), stay quiet.
    To his detractors and well wishers.
    Remember what John Major told ‘his ‘ party hobnobbing and revolting against him (the whisper campaign)—
    —- either put up or shut up —-
    Thats what he told them.
    Though I wouldn’t disrespect the General’s intentions (being a knee jerk commando discounting), he should keep to himself.
    There are vultures and hounds out there waiting to gnaw, slash, swallow and then regurgitate (with a bit of spinning and doctoring) whatever comes out from our part of the forsaken world.
    We have had enough of swagger and bravado.
    For God’s sake, Khuda le Liye, General Sahib, just stay quiet.
    Sincerely
    Naseer

  5. Riaz Haq says:

    Unlike Pakistan’s recycled, old, failed politicians whom Pakistanis have again voted for in the last elections, I think Musharraf is a patriot and a man of honor. He is so confident of his innocence of any wrongdoing that he insists he will continue to live in Pakistan in spite of the enormous personal risks he faces.

    I do believe he made some major mistakes beginning with the sacking of Justice Chaudhry and followed that up with even bigger mistakes by issuing PCO II and muzzling the electronic media that helped spawn.

    He now has a chance to redeem himself (for his mistakes in the last year or two as president) by volunteering his time and energy to help the most vulnerable in society whose sufferings have multiplied since his departure. There are good examples of former presidents such as Carter and Clinton who have continued to serve the people effectively in retirement. I believe he can lead the effort by lighting candles rather than cursing darkness. I suggest to him and to you to please read my post:
    http://www.riazhaq.com/2008/09/light-candle-dont-c urse-darkness-in.html

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