Pakistan

Ex-friends’ disloyalty disappointed me: Musharraf

Former president says Shaukat Aziz should have defended policies, Gen Qayyum is a sycophant .

Express April 27, 2011

KARACHI:

Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that he was saddened by the disloyalty of his former friends General Shahid and General Qayyum.

Musharraf had stepped down as president in August 2008 to avoid impeachment after ruling the country for nine-odd years. Subsequently, his former protégés in the army and politics had deserted him after he went into self-exile.

“General Qayyum was a sycophant. I had always promoted him, I made him chief of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah and then head of the Pakistan Steel Mills. But in the end he ditched me,” Musharraf told Express News in an exclusive interview in Dubai on Tuesday.

About Gen Shahid, Musharraf said that he had appointed him as chief of the National Accountability Bureau. “But he was sacked after he turned against me and started finding faults with our policies,” he added. Musharraf described both as weak of character.

The former president said that he was disappointed by former prime minister Shaukat Aziz. “He should have defended his policies after leaving the country,” Musharraf said.

Musharraf had introduced Shaukat Aziz, who had no political background, as a finance minister and then got him elected as prime minister. Musharraf agreed with the interviewer that Aziz was a ‘suitcase prime minister’ who apparently had little interest in Pakistan. However, Musharrraf revealed that Aziz was still in contact with him and they often meet in Dubai and London.

He also defended the 2007 sacking of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry which had finally led to his downfall. “The reference against Justice Chaudhry was sent by the prime minister and I, after examining its constitutional and legal aspects, sent it to the Supreme Judicial Council for further action,” Musharraf said.

The former dictator also defended the killing of Baloch chieftain Nawaz Akbar Bugti and his two grandsons in a controversial security operation in 2006. He admitted that India was involved in destabilising Balochistan.

Replying to a question about his deal with slain PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, the former general said that she was demanding abolition of Article 58 (2)b from the Constitution, lifting of ban on third-time premiership, and scrapping of graft cases against her and her spouse.

Musharraf said under the deal Benazir had agreed that she would return to Pakistan after the 2008 general elections. “But she violated the agreement and came back
before the elections in 2007,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (68)

GoodDeeds | 13 years ago | Reply The question is to what exact the economic crises can be blame on the present administration due to extreme corruption, incompetence, lack of policy & enforcement to collect due taxes, lack of vision, bad foreign policy, lack of governance, lack of due diligence? The United States policies in 2001 by Bush led to the current crises? Bush introduced policy to give huge breaks for shipping out companies and plants. The stakeholders moved their companies and hired manpower overseas. This created boom for countries that got the jobs and plants, which positively stirred up other sectors of their economy. Pakistan also benefited from the Bush's policies, though not as much as India China. The policy later increased demand for gasoline, specially, in China and India, which increased the gas of the price all over the world, including America. Increase in gas prices increased the price of almost everything in America including groceries (except what is protected by the government like automobiles). Increase in gas prices made producing things in America very expensive, which further gave rise to exporting jobs Lack of jobs due to exportation reduced the demand for real property. Real property prices dropped, and Americans lost homes in foreclosure. Lack of jobs reduced the income bank, Americans started living on low paid jobs, or government help, or savings, or equity. Lack of jobs increased the deficit along with spending on wars, due to reduced taxes from the middle class. Many Americans are only Americans by the reason of their constitutional rights only. The real Americans are the VIRTUAL Americans with good paying jobs, living overseas. But America is still hanging in, because the government is not corrupt, incompetent, subject to due diligence, strong governance, and continually spending in various technologies to recover the economy, though not very successful so far.

asad ullah khan | 13 years ago | Reply i like gen musharraf but why he dont reply his fans about comming to pakistan APML zindabad

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joy | 13 years ago | Reply @ Ishrat Salim

we, in India used to think like the way you do...see where it led us to.....massive corruption in 2G and Commonwealth Games,,,,,,,,,,,please nip this evil of corruption in the bud or it will devour the entire nation

regards joy

Nusrat Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply I would request the General and Imran Khan to join hands in the best interest of the country. Both of them are honest and far from corruption. Imran Khan might have a larger following, but remember that he has no experience of running the country. In the absence of any honest experienced person in his caucus, he will have great challenges in administering the country. That is where an honest and experienced General will deliver. I beg you both to join hands in the best interest of the country. You are our only hope.

Ajay | 13 years ago | Reply @R S JOHAR: India deserved Kargil for being asleep at the wheels. I don't blame Mushraaf except that he did it cowardly- he did not take back his dead soldiers, he employed taliban gureillas who are nothing more than animals gouging out eyes and ears of Indian asoldiers as they did with Russians. For all his bravado (which I believe he has) he behaved cowardly in Kargil by not being open. Mushrraf was not corrupt. There has been no politician in Palsitan with that quality before. Musharraf really cared for Pakistan as that came out in hsi words and actions. h eknew he had toi reform Pakistan of its Madrassa & Taliban elements but 60 year old problem isn't easy to solve. Despite Kargil, he made an impresion in India as well as US. People both Pakistanis and outsiders had faith in him. he is even bolder than Imran Khan. I never liked Benazir Bhutto. Being a lady may be she had some charm but I think she was as corrupt as her husband. She could have easily reined in her husband but she did not. She had strained relationships with her relatives. If she broke her terms with Musharraf of not returning before 2008 elections then she is a deceiver, not any different from a standard Paksiatni politician. I am sure Musharraf would have had diffculty in finding hoest, skilled, comitted people in Pakistan even if he went around with a magnifying glass.

R. Khan | 13 years ago | Reply We love & miss you! Please come back & save the country from corrupt politicians.

mussarat Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply @shabbir: Sorry to say mr. Shabbir, the self-exiled dictator was neither loyal to US or Pakistan, though he repeatedly said "Pakistan First", regrettably pakistani nation couldn't understand the bottom line of his slogan, that actually meant Pakistan will be sunk first, and he did before being drowned. The general played double game with America and with the poor Pakistani nation, he knows very well what I mean. You can't fool all the people all the time. It is ridiculous, the former dictator is now lamenting selfishness of his former friends. Respected General should know that "Power" has a very different psyche, culture and the temperament. "Out of Sight out of Mind", there are very very rare people who are remembered. It is only Service to the Human Cause that keeps the man alive like Mother Terrasa, Lady Diana, or say Abdus Sattar Edhi. God Bless Pakistan,Amen. Mussarat

waheed khan | 13 years ago | Reply Sir musharraf dun be disappointed when this nation even educated people talk silly things about you.they already are facing the concequence of "DEMOCRACY" for rejecting your sincere efforts. Well paki guys you speak so much abt need of democracy do you really understand the concept ov democracy, is this democracy to be elected by crowd ov sheeps nd donkeys (uneducated majority).to be loaded in a truck, nd coupole of hundred farmers ov a wadera who if dun vote the wadera's party they loose everything, nd our immature youth who jus see once the "propaganda news" channel nd decide to vote on silly spicy speeches, hunh. sir , dun worry this nation actually dunt qualify to hav a leader like you. you alwayx rock sir. my selute to you!!

KHAWAJA MAZHAR GUNJIAL | 13 years ago | Reply However, these are just some of the achievements of the man when he was in and out of uniform. 1. Nine world class engineering universities were developed and 18 public universities further developed. 2. Pakistan was ranked third in world banking profitability. 3. The IT industry was valued at around $2 billion, including $1 billion in exports and employed around 90,000 professionals. 4. The CNG sector attracted over $70 billion in investment in the past five years and created 45,000 jobs. 5. The telecommunications sector attracted around $10 billion in investments and created over 1.3 million jobs. 6. Industrial parks were set up throughout the country for the first time. 7. Mega projects such as the Saindak, Rekodiq, marble production, coal production, mining and quarrying were pursued. 8. Foreign reserves increased from $700 million to $17 billion. 9. The Karachi stock market went from 700 points to 15,000 points. 10. The literacy rate improved by 11 per cent. 11. Poverty decreased by 10 per cent. 12. Four dams were built: Mirani, Subakzai, Gomalzam, Khurram, and Tangi, 13. Seven motorways were completed or were under construction, 14. Gwadar, an advanced sea port, was developed, 15. 650 kilometres of coastal highways were constructed. 16. A historic 100% increase in tax collection (amounting to Rs1 trillion) was observed. 17. Large scale manufacturing was at a 30-year high, and construction at a 17-year high. 18. Copper and gold deposits were found in Chagai, worth about $600 million annually if sold. 19. A new oil refinery with the UAE that could process 300,000 oil barrels a day was established. 20. The industrial sector registered 26 per cent growth. 21. The economy was the third fastest growing economy after China and India . 22. The Institute of Space Technology was established. 23. Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University Quetta was established. 24. The University of Science and Technology, Bannu, was established. 25. The University of Hazara was founded. 26. The Malakand University in Chakdara was established. 27. The University of Gujrat was established 28. The Virtual University of Pakistan was established 29. Sarhad University of IT in Peshawar was established 30. The National Law University in Islamabad was established 31. The Media University in Islamabad was established 32. University of Education in Lahore was established 33. Lasbela University of Marine Sciences, Baluchistan, was established 34. Baluchistan University of IT & Management, Quetta (2002) 35. The Pakistan economy was worth $ 160 billion in 2007 36. GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) was $ 475.5 billion in 2007 37. The GDP per Capita in 2007 was $ 1000 38. Revenue collection in 2007/08 was Rs1.002 billion 39. Exports in 2007were worth $18.5 billion 40. Textile exports in 2007 were worth $11.2 billion 41. Foreign direct investment in 2007 was $8.5 billion 42. Debt servicing in 2007 was 26 per cent of the GDP 43. The poverty level in 2007 was 24 per cent 44. The literacy rate in 2007 was 53 per cent 45. Pakistan development programs in 2007 were valued at Rs520 billion 46. The Karachi stock exchange in 2007 was $70 billion at 15,000 points 47. Exports in 2007: $18.5 billion 48. Pakistan now has a total of 245,682 educational institutions in all categories, including 164,579 in the public sector and 81,103 in the private sector, according to the National Education Census (NEC-2005). 49. There are now more than 5,000 Pakistanis doing PhDs in foreign countries on scholarship. 50. 300 Pakistanis receive PhD degrees every year, in 1999, the number was just 20. 50. In total, 99,319 educational institutions increased in Musharraf’s era! This was some of the good Musharraf delivered to Pakistan during his martially-democratic rule from 1999 to 2008. Strange how quickly we forget his foreign policy efforts, which helped elevate the image of Pakistan globally added acceptance value to our green passports. Even the Indians next door were ready to discuss Kashmir for a solution and praised the man for his sincerity, honesty and amicable handling of the issues. Of course, he has the right to tell his opponents, “tameez say baat karo, warna munh toor jawab millayga” and it is true that most of them are keeping quiet since he said this in a recent interview with Express TV. I feel he knows more than what he has already said so far, and may explode if not “handled with caution”. This goes for all the politicians cum armed forces of Pakistan. Hence, be careful everyone, the General is coming back as a civilian

Aamer | 13 years ago | Reply @Asim+Ali: lols @ heavy tax payer

Aamer | 13 years ago | Reply RS Johar, Thank you for supporting my point, dollar-rupee parity could never remain the same, and those who claim this to be Musharraf's greatest accomplishment are utter fools, it was a loss, and the basic reason is simple, in US and developed countries inflation rate is not as high as in India and Pakistan, therefore over time the value of INR and PKR decreases, however in India's case their economy actually stood its ground and gained against dollar too in short term.

khan | 13 years ago | Reply Killing of Innocent Kids In lal msjid... Supporting war against afghanistan... Attempt To Privatization of Education system to Agha Khan.. Privatization of PIA.. to ISrael.. And honestly tell us why you say General Qayyum was psycophant.. just because he didn't support u to pivatize.. billions of steel mill into million.. I agree most of friends admire u as a hero.. but you were a trader and it doesn't matter how brave u were..

R S JOHAR | 13 years ago | Reply @Aamer: Rupee-dollar rate or any currency rates vis-a-vis dollars or pounds cannot remain constant any where in the world and changes with period of time. The rates fluctuation also depends upon the state of economies of the developed nations and not soley on the host nation's economy. But India in that matter did exceptionally well during recession period since Indian Reserve bank had been keeping strict control and scrutiny over its banks whether govt or private in lending, borrowing, liquidity, reserves etc but the same controls were not in place in US and other major nations, which resulted in collapse of banking systems in most part of the world. However, for your information, dollar- Indian rupee exchange rates which was about Rs 32-35 more than a decade back is currently between Rs 44-45.

Asim+Ali | 13 years ago | Reply @GK and Maria The boom in the telecom sector was real. Real $ came into the country. Companies paid $ 291 million as only spectrum fees (over $ 1 billion in spectrum fees). Thousands of jobs created. Very real! Government even today is collecting 31% in taxes from use of telecom services. Rs. 100 billion per year The free media which is very real came in the General's era. Over 50+ channels came. Jobs created. Very real! I live in Islamabad and am a heavy tax payer. I am really enjoying the roads, and the avenues constructed in that era. Hotels were coming up. Real investment was coming in as the investors had confidence......i can go on and on. But in my adult i have seen, the democracies of the 90's , The era of General Musharraf and the last 3 years. Who do i bet on and who would i choose?

Munir | 13 years ago | Reply Musharraf was, is and will remain our hero. He much much better than the present hypocrites.

Munir Saami | 13 years ago | Reply Musharraf is quoted to have said, "“General Qayyum was a sycophant." If he has the courage to look into a mirror, he would understand the true meaning of a " psychophant". He would also have seen that he had no clothes then, and has no clothes now. Here are two meanings of 'psychophant': at Urban Dictionary: 1)Usually someone who feels insignificant in their own life, this drives their need to tort the lives of others in a negative way to exercise any kind of power. 2. A person suffering from a mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted, and which is characterized by unembarrassed fawning over the current administration and its lackeys. I hope he renounces of any hopes of entering politics in Pakistan and realizes that he harmed Pakistan when he abbrogated the constitution and also when he treated the judges of SC in the most ignominious manner.

Somdet | 13 years ago | Reply US is also saying same things about Pakistan. Any comments on that?

GoodDeedsLeadTo | 13 years ago | Reply I urge you to watch Musharraf's interview with Javed Chaudhry to clarify what Musharraf exactly said about Shaukat Aziz. Musharraf agreed with Javed that Shaukat Aziz should know what people of Pakistan talk about him. kal tak with Javed Chaudhry april 26 2011 Pervez Musharraf part 1 HQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNVv-qXGr5k&feature=related Musharraf did not bad mouth him. In fact, he said that they enjoy normal relationship, and have met few times. I think Musharraf should learn to not show his reaction to actions of those who have ditched him. Because when you show reaction you only hurt yourself, and elevate the one who is being mean, and give chance to others to diminish you. The problem is Paksitan does not have good choices, and Musharraf stands out among other politicians. Imran Khan is an exception. I think it is a general opinion among Pakistanis that Musharraf performed far better than the parties in power (PPP & PML) So, Muhsarraf stands a chance in the absence of better choices. Nonetheless, Imran Khan is the best, without a doubt.

GoodDeedsLeadTo | 13 years ago | Reply Musharraf may not be super truper, but he is better than the options available in Pakistan without a doubt, excluding Imran Khan. I remember Pakistan used to be listed on the top, in Economist, with one of the highest growth rates. I think Musharraf may not be the best, but his performance in 8 or 9 years was far better than the present government and whatever Nawaz Shareef did in his two terms, even his enemies would not say that the present admin's performance or Nawaz's admin's performance was better than Musharraf. Also, unlike the other bad choices, excluding Imran Khan, Musharraf was not corrupt or nepotist, nor benefited his family members His entire family is competent, professionals.

iffat Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan is in bad shape since Mussharraf's departure. Pakistan badly needs him back.

Emorhc | 13 years ago | Reply What a shame. What a irony with every new ruler coming we find the previous ones better or less worse. Musharaf was as corrupt as any other ruler of Pakistan. Those who say he was not corrupt are actually delusional, how he is living in a multi million pounds flat in London? How he has been able to build millions worth property in Turkey? May it was from the provident fund setup by poor Pakistani nation for their rulers who lives like kings. He was not only a bad judge of character but highly incompetent as a general (kargil Fiasco, any one?). He has given us the gift of suicide bombings, immense load shedding, drone attacks. A miserable failure. P.S: Its not beautifull but beautiful, plus not sole but soul. For gods sake enable spell checker on your browser.

ehsanali | 13 years ago | Reply Whenever Musharraf is on TV everybody in Pakistan like to see him and listen to him seriously His body language shows he is telling truth.On this forum people come out to comment in large numbers that shows his popularity overall There is no leader in the east like him Look his Facebook page he has 400,000 fans.

Ken khan | 13 years ago | Reply Economically ,in general's years HK$13.5=PKR100. Now HK$9.2=PKR100.

Aamer | 13 years ago | Reply Exchange rate: In 1999 the exchange rate was 51.90 In 2001 it jumped to 61.92 A big jump of 10Rs. in just three years, and to top it all, Pakistan was not even in a state of war. Today it is at Rs. 80, most people fail to understand that due to hyper-inflation the production price of every exportable commodity had increase many folds, Mush the economic magician(according to some) held the exchange rate fixed at near 60, causing a collossal loss the exporters who were barely able extract any sort of profit from exports. Yet there are people who clap like monkeys on this feat

Aamer | 13 years ago | Reply Gross domestic product comparison; Again figures are taken in absolute terms rather than relative: FACT from 1995 to 2000, GDP increased by 1.7 times from 2000 to 2005, GDP increased by 1.72 times So whats the big deal in the extra 0.02 times? and that too in a period of extreme boom. And whats more in the period 2000 to 2005 economic sanctions on Pakistan were removed, so much for a good performance.

shabbir | 13 years ago | Reply basically Musharaf was loyal to USA not for pakistan so whats so ever he did only on the instruction of USA. otherwise is it possible a royal and sincere pakistani can do his nation what he did. if he is loyal to pak then he should be in pak not in UK . and all blame he should defend in front of public. if he is so sincere where are his all friends and party

General Zia Ul Haq | 13 years ago | Reply BTW, Musharraf please come back!!! Lots of your lover and haters are waiting for the day you will come!!! But will you ever be a man to go back to your country??? I know lot's of poor Pakistani's live around the world, they can't wait to save enough money to get back - I am sure you have enough for that!!! I volunteer to pay your ticket - Business class - I swear!! Trust me, I am a General!!!

redsnapper | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria: Spot on. And now he is trying to create the image that he was perfect while those around him were the "problem". He says he sacked two persons because "they criticized his policies". So, with such an iron grip of a control how can he blame others for all the faux pas and immature handling of national affairs? I for one can never forgive him for maintaining a double edged policy on terrorism and feeding the terrorists for 8 years.

Aamer | 13 years ago | Reply @FF Highest USD reserves(as you call it) is right now. Although that still makes no difference. And as far as economic growth is concerned, let me teach you a very important lesson, during the period that Musharraf ruled, the whole world was in a state of economic boom, take the example of India, it got the status of 'Shining' India in the same period, China became the 3rd largest economy in that same period. So just to compare what Pakistan achieved in that time period in absolute terms would be absolutely ridiculous and ofcourse easy. But in relative terms only one figure will be enough to knock sense in people that can think with an open mind In 1999, Pakistan's share in global trade was 0.21% by 2007 it had fallen to 0.12% and today it stands at 0.13% In easy words, Pakistan didn't even keep up with the world during that entire period, actually it lost a lot of ground. Point is stop being a duffer

GK | 13 years ago | Reply @Asim+Ali: Major economic growth was registered - agreed. But nothing comes for free. The growth came because Pakistan's debt was rescehduled plus huge aid and income from the NATO forces. So subservience to US was enforced and soveriegnity bartered. Mush had absolute power, and unlimited finances, and in that context he achieved nothing. Any governement with powers and income like that, and ability to sell soveriegnity, could do this.

Maria | 13 years ago | Reply @Asim+Ali: Let me ask you a simple question: Is the US dollar weaker under Obama than it was under Bush? Yes. Are oil prices and the economy worse in the US now than under Bush- Yes. Do people in the US want Bush back over Obama - No! They understand that most of the current economic problems in the US were due to Bush's policies. People in Pakistan know that our current problems are also due to the Musharraf dictatorship of 9 years. There is a big world of global market forces and a global economy. We are just another boat in that sea. Don't confuse a global upsurge in economic conditions with the actions of a dictator. Just try to imagine how much development could have been realized back then had we had a proper elected government with legitimacy.

Natasha S. | 13 years ago | Reply tch tch tch. Enough said.

Azam | 13 years ago | Reply We are missing the golden era of Musharraf. Musharraf is an honest leader. He did not mention Shaukat Aziz the way it is being presented.

Asad | 13 years ago | Reply I really doubt that Musharraf himself is serious to return in politics. These are merely efforts to keep his reputation of being a man-without-fear up

R S JOHAR | 13 years ago | Reply The grapes which were sour some time back have become stale now, so RIP.

Q | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria - Don't you think the Prime Minister of that time committed high treason by dismissing an army chief in the air and requesting him to land in India or anywhere else but not in Pakistan.

anand singh | 13 years ago | Reply He admits promoting a sycophant , admitting that capability does not matter to get promoted..sycophancy does.

DR KHALID MAHMOOD SHOUQ | 13 years ago | Reply he was sacked after he turned against me and started finding faults with our policies..........HISTORY IS THE HISTORY..IT IS ALWAYS FACT.......

Amer | 13 years ago | Reply A dictator will always remain a dictator in mentality. Just look at what he's saying even now!

AnisAqeel | 13 years ago | Reply “General Qayyum was a sycophant. I had always promoted him, I made him chief of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah and then head of the Pakistan Steel Mills. But in the end he ditched me", Nawaz Sharif did the same to you. As you sow, so shall you reap.

S. H. Zaidi | 13 years ago | Reply The sooner Musharraf realises that he is a spent force, the better for him and all concerned. As far as honesty is concerned, the nnaive may think he was honest, but a man is known by the company he keeps. Shaukat Aziz, his chosen finance and later prime minister, who has run away from the country since leaving office; Chaudhary brothers, whom Mushaarraf accuses of having ditched him and who are now honeymooning with PPP; the NRO that helped to impose Zardari as president on this hapless nation, are examples. His other major crime is to make Pakistan completely subservient to the United States, with 4 airbases handed over to them after 9/11. If a few good things did take place during his tenure, they are nothing compared to the overall damage he did to Pakistan's polity. It is due to his self-intereted moves like joining the US war on terror, and promulgating the NRO that have landed Pakistan into the current mess. Things like load shedding, corruption, extreme inflation can be traced largely to his policies. Perhaps he can take comfort from the fact that the leadership he helped imposed on Pakistan after him is so incompetent that some people now say a few good words for Musharaf!

Tigon | 13 years ago | Reply Dear General Musharraf; how many good friends did you forget or betray?

Abdul Rahman Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Well, you are now lamenting sycophants, your friends and proteges betrayed and ditched you during your military rule. You will find such elements in abundance in politics. My humble advice to you is to get away from the dirty game which is called pakistani politics. Barring a small number of your critics, a large number of pakistanis still remember you and your rule which was better than what it is now in pakistan. Pakistani politics is just like a salt mine. remember: Har kay dar kaan-e-namak raft, namak shood'. You had absolute power during your rule which is not possible in politics. If you are really siancere, and I do believe you are, and serve the country once again, don't go in the dirty politics, Instead, make and head a Think Tank and suggest ways and means to help solve the socio-politico-economic problems of pakistan.

Asfnad | 13 years ago | Reply Musahrraf was a military dictator and the list of his criimes is long and the memories of "blody civilians" are short. He kicked out an elected government, made mockery of the constitution which is anyway just a piece of paper and should be treated like one, humiliated the supreme court, brought Afghan war into Pakistan, made fun of a woman who was gang raped, allowed a political pary in Karachi to kill dozens of innocent workers of the opponent parties and so on and so forth. He will be remembered as a military and his a decade long rule is the reason for those umpteen grave dangers Pakistan is surrounded by.

Ahmad | 13 years ago | Reply About Gen Shahid, Musharraf said that he had appointed him as chief of the National Accountability Bureau. “But he was sacked after he turned against me and started finding faults with our policies,” he added. Musharraf described both as weak of character. ahahaha....this was too good. Dear sir, your policies were crap, which is why people started finding faults with it. Wasn't it you who introduced legislation saying that NAB get to keep 20% of the money they recover, 20 PERCENT, and then you made a military man run the whole thing. So honest you are, I can't believe we ever let you go.

bemused rana | 13 years ago | Reply Musharraf was an illegitimate ruler. Him being honest open for contention. Apartments in London and Dubai and a mansion in chak Shehzad, not to speak of numerious plots and houses in Karachi and Lahore and agri land in bahawalpur. Development, god times, etc. What was wrong with the brits ruling the us then. Why did we choose to be independent if we could not even choose who rules us? Take your arguments to a logical conclusion pls!

ishrat salim | 13 years ago | Reply Slowly & slowly....people are realising the difference of situation...then & now....ask the people on the street....?? I hv repeated more than once....corruption with good goverance is acceptable....not corruption with bad goverance...which is hallmark of the present leadership & politicians...?? this makes third option viable...

Naveed Javed | 13 years ago | Reply Gossip Mongering !

adnan | 13 years ago | Reply @Pervwz He didnt blame them; only after they came out hitting at him wihtout any one tehr to defend him.. that has dissappoint6ed him... about shaukat aziz is completely out if context...

Nadeem Khan | 13 years ago | Reply The supreme court had bestowed three (3) years of unrestrained power to Musharraf. A civilian leader can only dream of such power. What was preventing the good general from implementing the most needed reforms, such as land reform, singular school system for all children, taxing the rich, building kalabagh, police reform, judicial reform, true accountability. He did none of the above because he was a dictator of the tinpot variety, self-surrounded by sycophants - and ultimately only interested in eternal rule. And worst of all - just to save his own skin - he forgave corrupt politicians who are now in power. 9/11 was a God-sent for him, without which he would have continued to receive the same treatment from the West that Clinton gave to him in his March 2000 visit (no handshake, no pictures).

parvez | 13 years ago | Reply Blaming others is so typical. It requires quality and courage to admit ones mistakes.

FF | 13 years ago | Reply @Asim Ali Right on! I agree with you 100%. Don't forget: Highest ever USD reserves Exponential growth in the IT sector Don't forget, before Mush, you were all using DIAL UP INTERNET FROM CYBERNET!!! - --

R S JOHAR | 13 years ago | Reply The General conveniently forgets the people from both India and Pakistan whom he had betrayed during his tenure as President and before. The worst cases were death of Benazir Bhutto whom he did not provide adequate security and some say that he was the main consipirator and other being the author of Kargil war with India, resulting in deaths of hundreds of soldiers on both sides but he achieved nothing from this war other than humilation.

dextor | 13 years ago | Reply Musharaf had few good points but some real bad point whihc sinks him

anand singh | 13 years ago | Reply Now now.. This is funny ! A dictator who bit the hand that fed him & overthrew a legitimately elected Govt through a Coup, threw all rule books to the winds ..laments disloyalty !! General, how loyal were you ?

salim | 13 years ago | Reply @ A. ghaffar dawood It's about time we had honest leaders. Musharraf has delivered before and I hope he gets another opportunity.

khan | 13 years ago | Reply So Musharraf agreed that Shaukat Aziz was a ‘suitcase prime minister’ who apparently had little interest in Pakistan. Someone should ask Musharraf, the greater architect of 'Unity of Command', why did he then appoint Aziz to run the government for so many years? But then Fateh-Kargill being the man he is will only dissemble even more blaming everyone other than himself.

rizwan raja | 13 years ago | Reply no doubt musharraf times was an awesome time for pak..lots of development projects were all the sides in pakistan..people were confidence by his braved leadership..people were coming back from foreign countries to pak..because there were lot of oppertunities in every sectors.banking,telecom,civil,electronic...even in education....

Q | 13 years ago | Reply I completely Agree with Adeel. The newspaper has misquoted Gen. Musharraf on Mr. Shaukat Aziz.

A.ghaffar dawood | 13 years ago | Reply Mushrraf as ruler was a very honest man but he did not have any quality of a politician.Honest judgements are not the only crterias that are required for the head of the state of a country like Pakistan.No general in Pakistan can ever understand what politics is.What is the use of lamenting that he did this and he did that.You are the head of the state and the final out come of your actions affect the whole country.Country wants to know why was it done when you were the head of the state.The final responsibility is yours and yours only.

SK | 13 years ago | Reply oh no you poor sole........... didn't you know that that friendship with you was because your uniform and the stick you had. now that both of these rarities are gone, suck it up and move on to oblivion and let other loot and plunder the country

adnan | 13 years ago | Reply this clrearly shows that how strictly merit is being followed in so called disciplined institution of army.

Q | 13 years ago | Reply Sir, we look forward to your return. God bless you.

Adeel | 13 years ago | Reply i heard the interview last night and the paper is quoting stuff mentioned here out of context...esp about Shaukat Aziz

Asim+Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Dollar at 60 for 8+ years No loadshedding Tremendous growth in telecom sector Tremendous growth in banking Construction boom (roads, flyovers, hotels.....) Tremendous growth in media Pakistan was growing. The fools in the media just wanted to create an issue. Look where we are heading.......

IZ | 13 years ago | Reply Dear General Sahib, if you hadn't surrounded yourself with these sycophants then maybe you would have been given some honest advice about what was happening in the country. Yes your friends were disloyal, but a better judge of character would have been willing to appoint officials to high office based on merit rather than friendship.

Nasir Nawaz Bhutta | 13 years ago | Reply Mr.Musharaf! we know that you have made many mistakes but atleast U were not corrupt....YOu give us roads and a beautifull city Islamabad which we could not expect with conventional politicians.Moreover we need you just for your braveness for building of Kalabag Dam and a for the elimination of energy crises, loudshedding, wich you can.......if you done that it befor it was possible

Maria | 13 years ago | Reply What a joke. Musharraf is bad mouthing other generals who he describes as sycophants he promoted and lacking in character. Does he not understand that there were many more deserving and senior Generals to him when he was promoted out of turn to be army chief? Nawaz Sharif chose him for the same reason Bhutto chose Zia- they would be pliant military chiefs who would be indebted to the Prime Minister who promoted them out of turn. But look at what both dictators did! Does he not remember how he showed his character by taking over the country illegally and ruling as a dictator for 9 odd years? Now he says that the infamous, Aziz was only a "suitcase" Prime Minister who had no interest in the nation! In what world do you think anyone will vote for a character like you in the coming elections? I am sure Musharraf feels Mubarak will be elected in Egypt and that Ben Ali will be elected in Tunisia. Enough is enough. Why can he not quietly fade into the sunset and realize that he is yesterday's man and he caused enough problems for Pakistan in 9 years of dictatorship. Let the nation move on please.

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