KARACHI: As political fervor whips up across the country, the former dictator has decided to jump in, head first.
Clad in a crisp white shalwar kameez, former president and chairman All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Pervez Musharraf announced he would return to Pakistan between January 27 and 30, despite ‘baseless’ court cases, and risks to his life.
The announcement was synchronised with red and green fireworks, and chants of ‘welcome’ in the Mazar-e-Quaid neighbourhood.
“I am coming to Pakistan not for myself, but to bring happiness to the masses and solidarity to the country,” Musharraf said, while addressing the APML rally on Sunday through video conferencing.
Speaking from Dubai to a crowd of between 6,000 to 10,000 people, Musharraf said his rally is not a tsunami, but an “earthquake which would affect Pakistan’s politics.”
The former president said that some politicians say he has already had his time, and should not return.
“During my innings, I have scored a century. I know how to run this country more than anyone,” he said, adding: “Then there are those who have not even played their innings. I want to tell them that they should think twice before confronting me.”
Dictator’s diatribe
The former president, who ruled for eight years, compared his regime with the present-day situation. During my time, people had jobs, trains were functional, Pakistan was safe from IMF’s clutches and there was a reverse brain-drain, with expats returning to Pakistan to settle down, he said.
“But today, Pakistan is on the brink of destruction,” he proclaimed before embarking on a tirade: “Prices of essential items have increased three-fold, people are selling their children to run their houses, electricity and gas, apart from being unavailable, is expensive; trains have derailed and PIA is grounded, the economy has plunged while terrorism and extremism are on the rise, and people have no hope for a bright future.”
Reaching out
Musharraf addressed various ethnic communities, and lent his support to the Bengalis, saying that they should be considered citizens of the country, and given their identity cards and passports.
He reminded the Kashmiris of the foreign aid he solicited for them after the 2005 earthquake, and wooed the Hazaras by saying that he was always in favor of a separate Hazara province.
Musharraf said he would fight from the Chitral constituency in the next elections.
Referring to Nawab Akhbar Bugti’s murder, Musharraf said some politicians are visiting Balochistan and conspiring against him.
People say I am an enemy of the Baloch, but during my eight years, no one did more for the province than I did, he claimed, adding that he brought immense progress to the Marri and Bugti tribes.
He added, though: “I will always be an enemy of those who are against Pakistan, who burn its flag and who are killing Punjabis and Hazara.”
The rally was addressed by a host of other party leaders before Musharraf.
APML secretary general Haris Nawaz, who was criticised by the party’s Karachi division for hijacking the event, said “the party would give all people their rights.”
Salma Murad, wife of actor Waheed Murad, said the people ‘need’ Musharraf. Also in attendance was Gholam Mujtaba, famous for his ubiquitous billboards across Karachi, who said that people coming from Sukkur and Khairpur for the rally has proven that the former president is popular everywhere.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS (115)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Only Musharraf can take Pakistan forward
Pakistan First!
Is delighted. To see anti Musharraf people freaking out and making fun of his Jalsa. It's good omen meaning he still can cause stir. The worst case scenario wouldve been no reaction or low reaction. Khush Aamdeed General. Care for a Cuban Cigar?
Well The General has managed to get the Pakistan visa approved by the Saudis and the US, I just wonder if he got multiple or single entry. interesting times ahead
Disappointed with tribune for giving headlines to a dictator, who is solemnly responsible for the current situation of Pakistan. How can one forget your obedience to US, selling your own land, Lal Masjid, Bugti Murder, Benazir Muder, economic meltdown.. and the 3rd of Nov? You should be ashamed of yourself for calling yourself a 'saviour' of Pakistan.
@Imran:
complete nonsense...the NRO was an understanding with BB, and the corruption cases were not an invitation for the jaahil awam to elect the PPP. did musharraf also do that? laying the blame on his doorstep is fashionable, but not very smart.
Musharraf is keeping my hopes alive about my country.
@Eyes wide shut: Oh im so sorry for using the o-so-offensive 's' word. I hope you are feeling okay. It would be better if ET also publishes the age of people who comment btw so i can mind my language. Secondly if you think thats 50K people, then the 's' word is useless, the problem actually lies elsewhere
He is 68 years old now and would be no less than 80 by the time he gets a shot at the the presidency. I think he is 25 years too late for the job.
It was the day of overwhelming joy and ecstasy for the nation, eager to see my favorite politician in K A R A C H I
10,000 people want NRO.
@Fatima: His opponents will see real show of people when he will arrive in Karachi.
Let us have another 'referendum'. This time with 98.98% in favour.
Long Live Musharaff. Pakistani nation does not forget our benefactors. He lives in our hearts and minds
Altaf Hussain please listen where are you.
One media group, known for extreme opposition to Musharraf, reported 20,000 people. Gathering of this number without help of Patwaris, forced school children and government employees is quite enough to show Musharraf support.
Parvez Musharraf, please don't come to Pakistan. These people do not deserve you. They are quite happy with the last 4 years of Zardari and by the plunder and loot by turn which went on before you came to office. 'Baarey aaraam se haiN ahl-e-jafa "tairey" baad.'
I guess the deep recession in Eurpoe and the US had no effect on Pakistan. Apparently, Musharaff like Bush lived in a dream world of huge debt which everyone in the world is not paying for. This dictator like the ones in Argentina, Brazil and Chile needs to pay for his crimes, hopefully he is tried and sent to prison for life
We still Love President Musharraf Want to see u back in power Vision + honesty+hope+and confidence all i saw in his speach
We'll await your arrival, say the people of Pakistan! Now don't go on changing your mind at the last minute, commando.
@Aamer Khawaja: You're judging by a picture and the guy says he was himself there. And you think you have a right to use an offensive word like shameful so liberally. Who out of the you two gentlemen should be shameful is anybody's guess. Sorry, but you asked for it. Lol..... Khwaja saheb!
@Mohsin: And he had power to amend constitution just by saying so conferred on him by pco judge IC.no civilian including mr jinnah had that power.
@Moiz Sididqui: Just look at the pictures above. You seriously think thats 50000? Because if thats true, than IK gathered 5million. Shameful to see people closing their eyes to the truth
@Moiz Sididqui: Your comment about media being biased is a gross understatement. I don't know what these guys are upto. But it does make me worried about my homeland.
Hello General, after reading the above comments I'm begging you not to come back. They don't deserve you. Let these "boys" rot. You have no right to force them to go for develop and economic recovery. lol
What a joke...... Stay in Dubai People of Pakistan need change not going to be fool again.
@Moiz Sididqui: You actually counted 50000 supporters, & 800 buses? Now thats a stretch
Imran khan should be happy, another guy will be joining his party soon =) the team is well built by establishment n so r the settlements..... God Save pakistan !!
These claims of no-support for APML Karachi rally are baseless and stupid, i was there, as a part of the rally. I could easily count 50,000 attendants for Musharraf at the zenith of the rally's morale at around 7:30 PM. I saw more than 800 buses starting from Gurumander to Numaish, Now for the maths, a bus can easily hold up-to 40 people, now multiply that with the number of buses and you got (40x800) 32000 attendants.
Now count the people who joined the rally on their bikes, personal cars, and coasters let's say about uh... 10-15 thousand? judging by the parking space they took.
As for the people claiming PTI managed 200,000 that's just plain stupid. the ground can't hold that amount of people, There were about 30-40k a majority rallying from interior NWFP and Punjab. the attendances from Karachi made for only a fraction of that amount.
The Pakistani new channels are extremely biased about their coverage; PTI rally was the example of that, Their rally was exaggerated, Look it up in YouTube. it failed to claim 0.1m where they had support (People arrived from Interior NWFP, Punjab) (Security measures controlled by MQM), whereas MQM managed 50k without support (Lahore).
Sab say pehlay Pakistan! Jeeay Musharraf!
If he couldnt fix the country in 8 years what makes him think he can change now?
What a fail show general sahaab. Save your self from humiliation. You are better off where you are.
Very pathetic numbers...!
@Ali:
your obvioysly biased
Sorry general your time is up.
Musharraf's six blunder Kargil war for USA to grab India.2.Unilateral cease fire in Kashmir under American pressure,why 79000 led their lives for the cause,all waste.3.Not building Kalabagh dam.4.Humiliated AQ Khan under American pressure and laid down drama.5 NRO for BB again under American dictate.6.Made local body system life less by placing civil police under DCO, politicians and crook bureaucrats got it done at last movement from him. Those who removed him are sending him again to bully Kayani,Zardari and Imran.mark my word drama of his arrest on arrival will take place to make him hero.Are we that innocent and goof.
i would suggest that return but with a one-way ticket....khamakha paisa zaya hoon ga.
Dear Gen Musharraf
Thank you for the Kargil fiasco, where we looked like fools to the world and talk of our nuclear status has never ended since then and if v can be trusted with it. Thank you for the lovely way u handled AQ Khan issue in ur 'commando' brave style (lol!). Thank you for giving in to the US pressure on one phone call. Thank you for the American ingress into Pakistan. Thank you for not adding even a single MW to the grid. Thank you for not passing fuel increase to the ppl when oil prices went high - that led to the coffers being empty so the new govt wud start with IMF. Thank you for the poor way u handled Akbar Bugti and for setting on fire to Balochistan. Thank you for Q league created and backed by govt funds on ur behest. Thank you for May 12 karachi. Thank you for supporting the MQM. Thank you for keeping ur son abroad and for having a green card while being President COAS and etc. etc. Thank you for ur jokes when Benazir was assassinated am sure they went a long way for the federation. Thank you for NAB and NRO before that the latter being the logical conclusion to something as draconian as the former. Thank you for saying what u did in Canada about Pakistani women on the Dr. Shazia issue. Thank you for giving bases to the US for drone attacks. Thank you for involving the army in every petty little matter and tarnishing its image. Thank you for ur so called civil service reform or should i say deform? Thank you for publishing ur book on an official trip. Thank you for the present - Shaukat Aziz. Last but not least and i really mean this one thank you for running away and not daring to come back. We Salute u! Pakistan would not be where it is today without u! and Thank you for failing to get an NFC for 9 years! WOW! must be a record!
Kaptaan's prospective ally in a bad shape. General sahib, you ruled this country with the power of your "skin".
@mohsin: You have no idea how creative the national accounting can be.
thumbs up!!! yes sir, we are with u...only leader who talks straight and is not hypocrite... nobody can raise finger on him for corruption. open media, real sense democracy are the gifts of musharraf!!!
Can any one tell me at what Richter Scale the “Zalzala” would be coming to Karachi between 27 to 30 January 2012?
Welcome back Musharraf! Any one with half a brain in Pakistan knows Musharraf is infinitely better than the rest. Today was a good beginning. Things will surely pick up when he returns.
I want the World Cup-winning captain, not the Kargil-losing general!
Atiqa should have requested "Ashar" and "Khirad" to come. That would have guaranteed the success of the jalsa. IK looks quite the hero himself but Mush needed some help...tsk, tsk!
@Mohammad: Yes, exactly. He will be arrested on arrival. We all wait for that day!
When Musharraf will be back in Country.. The Impact will be so different, surely.
Though his times were better for economy and social welfare but that was short-term and not a permanent solution. Because corruption was lesser than current Govt. The time has moved on. Pakistan today, is not what it used to be in last 60 years. Awareness among people has increased manifolds. Whatever, good or bad must be elected through people. Things will only improve this way. dictatorship is no solution. May Allah bless our country. Amen.
Alos read 'How Musharraf became a billionare' by Ansar Abbasi in The News's today edition. Makes Zardari look holy and pious and Imran Khan a pauper.
@observer: They are on facebook or catching "Humsafar" re-runs
@Asad Malik - Corrupt politicians steal from the country and probably leave it in shambles financially. Dictators twist and bend every rule to prolong their stay and to appease the ‘extremist’ elements that leaves the country in total shambles – morally, economically & politically. Ayub, Zia & Musharraf are prime testimony to this. PS. Mushrraf also had his share of the booty. HBL, PTCL & KESC privatization can be deliberated and discussed to death and we would also not discuss Chak Shehzad mansion here.
I had heard about the "silent" majority but "invisible" majority is something new.
Don't know about others. But I will take a winning "Kaptaan" over a has-been "general" any day!
where is the awami taaqat he was referring to on May 12, 2007??
As a former army man, I am stumped. People of Karachi want to be led by a captain instead of a general. What's the world coming to?:p
Without government funds, agency support - he has already enough gathering. He does not relies on patwaries or has to force school children to the jalsa.
Musharraf talks straight - he is not a hypocrite.
a jalsa of invisible silent majority.
The valued readers of Express Tribune should note that Musharraf will never come until PPP or any other democratically elected government will remain in Pakistan.
He is been forced by his APML party workers to come to the country but the question arises that the Court in Pakistan has declared his that he is an absconder and proclaimed offender and wanted in BB, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Lal Masjid murders cases.
I have not seen any leader climbing the ladder again to reach at the top in just 4 years time, how can Musharraf want to again become President of Pakistan?
General Musharraf has already played his innings and his match is over once and for all.
The world can be a strange and cruel place. A Kaptaan has shown a "General" how it's done!
Long live Kaptaan, down with General.
General sb, you had nine years of absolute power. You were Pakistan's president, chief executive and commander-in-chief all rolled into one. What could you do now as President or Prime Minister, assuming you even made it that far -- and that's a huge assumption -- that you couldn't do then? And remember, this time, there would be severe checks on your power, from the parliament, from the media, from your own party, from the judiciary, and, last but not least, from your former comrades-in-arms. Count your lucky stars, you are still alive. In any other country, you, and not Husain Haqqani, would be facing treason charges today. In the name of God, let it go and let us be! Mind you, I HATE Zardari!
What a joke. I had a doubt that he might not have big support, now it's confirmed.
PS: Might get 1 or 2 seats....may be
They should have advertised it on Humsafar's facebook page!....
yes he was the dictator but I just know that in his era economy, inflation and progress of Pakistan all were much satisfactory.
If Pakistan were the US, late night comedians would be writing Musharraf thank-you letters right now because his "rally" would have given them enough material for a week's worth of jokes:D
The wise people of Karachi have spoken: they want the kaptaan, not the general!
3000, you must be kidding
Perhaps, General Mush should have promised he would perform on the "tabla" or sing a few ghazals. Or maybe Ms. Odho could have prevailed upon her co-stars from "Humsafar" to make a guest appearance. Though in the latter case, there would have been a serious danger that those on the stage would have outnumbered the people at the "rally":p General sb, the people have spoken. Now let them be!
Without media coverage and establishment support he's able to attract enough crowd, shows he's a man of principles who want to bring real change in Pakistan.
@Hassan Bin Fahim: By that argument, the "agencies" are supporting both IK and Mush. Yet, 200,000 turned out for IK...no one has come out for Mush. Does that say something? Even accepting that IK has the "establishment" behind him...his support is genuine. The "establishment" cannot conjure up 200,000. If they could, they would have done the same for Mush!
Glad to see Pakistani people may be sick of the current dispensation but they still have the sense to see through an ex-dictator whose blunders we are still paying for!
What works for the Pir of London Town does not necessarily have to work for Musharraf.
The only way for APML to attract crowd is to let Atiqa Odho deliver the speech, instead of Mushy.
Are the guest speakers Netanyahu and Aunty Shamim?
Just saying... the news should not be baised it is not india where MASALLA is essential for every news
Haha...I can't wait to watch Hasb-e-Haal tonight. This is a Godsend for comedians.
@Khan Saab: graves attract people?
General sb, kitney aadmi thay?:p
MQM should help APML for the sake of their ex-darling/ex-dictator.
Mr. Musharaf, please leave us after handing over the Govt to your brother Mr Zardari and taking whole nation to turmoil
@Asad Malik: Yes and guess who allowed all of the criminals to come in through an NRO just to get a safe exit? If Musharraf was really such a proud Pakistani, he should have stayed and faced the courts and the consequences of his actions.
He should held a rally on facebook, maybe more people would have showed up there.
it seems that the political entity worst affected by PTI's meteoric rise after Oct 30 was not PMLN or PPP but infact Musharraf. Let's hope that this attendance today serves as an eye opener for the self acclaimed messiah.
He has not received any coverage. Thats why seats are empty.
Yeah. u r right. Rally is on its way...... will take a few months to reach the venue as its coming from London and Dubai.
Would it be enough for the general to open his eyes? He should return and be accountable for the massive blunders he did during his tenure.
@Ali
You seem to be comfortable with the corrupt leaders.
He should visit Garahi Khuda Baksh to learn what attracts people.
May be this should act as an eye opener for the Gentleman....may he now finally retire
For more details: go to https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23APMLJalsi
One TV channel owner told me that they are receiving instructions from ISI personnel to give the SAME level of coverage to Musharraf's Jalsa in Karachi today as given to Imran Khans Jalsa - Naeem Ul Haque [Official] , PTI Sindh President
If Pakistan to survive, he is our only hope! But I doubt that this nation want to survive since they have a death wish. We keep on talking about constitution, what if there is no Pakistan but we still holding on to constitution. Our problems started with the 73 parliamentary form of constitution otherwise we were economically progressing during presidential form of government with Ayub Khan.
I am surprised that some are still supporting a dictator that ripped the constitution to shreds and sent Pakistan hurtling into a web of fanaticism, lawlessness and chaos. I would be surprised even if 1000 people show up but then party spokesmen have the tendency to add zeros!
i mean hold your horses,,,, the crowd will start to arrive its SUNDAY. So chill !!