Express News screengrab of Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal.
Iqbal told media in Lahore that Musharraf's legal team was trying to create problems in the country and this was the worst kind of conspiracy.
"Pakistan cannot bear these kinds of conspiracies," he stated, adding that anyone who tried to weaken the political system was an enemy of the state.
On March 31, Musharraf was formally charged for subverting and circumventing the Constitution by imposing emergency on November 3, 2007. Musharraf had rejected the charges levelled against him.
You can view the five charges levelled against him here.
COMMENTS (38)
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Collecting academic degrees on paper does not prove anything.
Wisdom, intelligence, enlightenment and character shows a developed mind.
Education can be achieved anywhere in the World, how you apply it to yourself counts.
Rubber stamps from prestigious institutions cannot guarantee, wisdom , justice or integrity of character for that matter.
We love to be ruled by idiots than the smart men. As an idiot nation, we deserve to be governed by NS and Zardaris!
Taking a bold anti-establishment stance used to be the hallmark of PPP due to which it was once the most popular political party in Pakistan. But over the years it has been more of a subdued status quo party bowing down to establishment and continue to indulge in corruption (NLC, NICL, PIA, Pakistan Steel, Railway, DHA etc). On the other hand, PMLN has taken a very bold stance on various issues of national interest. While PPP has lost its credibility to withstand establishment, PMLN has emerged as the only strong & vibrant political party that is taming the rogue establishment and making new Pakistan. My vote for PMLN in all times to come!
Injustice with Musharraf & contempt of Army will not be tolerated.
@Masood Mirza Bar-at-Law: Masood, what you have stated could not be more correct. A statement has been made about Musharraf having been responsible for many reckless if not treasonous decisions - let the law proceed to find him either guilty or innocent. The daily spectacle and costs of his security being paid by tax contributors in a country that has enough crises, is this case not being given far more relevance than deserved under the circumstances. Should not ministers focus on poverty alleviation, drinking water, sanitation, health, education, employment especially of the young, the drought situation of the Thar desert, the radicalisation and turning to terrorism of the young and much more instead? The Sharif brothers came into power with a majority vote, their time in power is disappointing. To be negotiating with those responsible for causing death, loss to the GDP, not laying down their arms, will have very dire consequences for Pakistan. To harbour terrorists in the Punjab who promote sectarianism is against the rule of law. To free terrorists under such conditions is mind boggling. Pakistan deserves better. It is time to let Musharraf leave the country for humanitarian reasons, his mother is sick. Pakistan should get out of the seeking political revenge mode, it has far more serious issues at stake. Enough of this case being aired at all times, useless arguments being stated when the country I repeat, faces terrible hardships.
@Afzal: The father of lotacracy was an army chief, ayub who lost the election against Ms Fatima Jinnah, but made his way through to the presidency as a lota-in-chief.
Ahsan Iqbal might have gone to Wharton School of Finance, the point that he never fails to highlight, but unfortunately he is a living example of the fact that even fine institutions could not help erase the deeply embedded corruption and sycophancy that his kind is endowed with. I gotta agree with @Sukkurwala above that this Wharton graduate is not much better or even different than the mentally primitive colleague of middle class education.
So much money and time is being wasted on this case as the others against Musharraf. Not that I am defending his causes, but Pakistan has many extremely grave crises, such as hunger and poverty in the Thar desert caused from long periods of drought, the terrorism issue, unemployment of its young which of course turn more to radicalism, nationalism in Balochistan, sectarianism and no relief for its minorities, the gender issue, basic lack of human rights just to name a few. Our government ought to get its priorities right, attend to those issues that are a threat to existence rather than have Musharraf as front page news daily. His mother is unwell, let him go on humanitarian grounds, instead, tend to those issues with good sense instead of negotiating with madmen who have killed 50,000 plus innocent citizens of the country, causing billions in loss of revenues, and continue to kill freely. Citizens of Pakistan ought to demand their rights, what a good opportunity the Sharif brothers had when elected with majority rule - how disappointing they have been once again.....
@Chachoo: My friend most of these comments in ET are opinion based and usually politically influenced. You are talking about a higher intellect skills. A Minister may be highly educated but if his political demeanor does not reflect the maturity and intellectual ability of high caliber he is only as good as those with a basic education. Most PMLN ministers holding current offices are there because of party loyalty rather than their past or present performances. Meritocracy is unknown to PMLN.
@Shaikh Mohommad: Its good to have an opininon , provided the opinion is informed , critical and impartial. Your opinion about the issue do not reflect any of these continuum and can be best regarded as bious, prejudicial and ignorant. The current government and the retired CJP are both complicit in engaging Musharaf. He is not the only dictator responsible for abrogating the constitution. If a trial of abrogating the constitution should begin it should start from Ayub Khan Yahya Khan and Zial ul Haq the mentor of incumbent Prime Minister.
The present trial against Musharaf is nothing more than a witchhunt and personal vengeance. Most of these PMLN ministers issuing political diatribe against Musharaf have them selves abrogated the consitution by getting themselves elected through blatant vote rigging supported by their die hard and loyal returning officers and brazen disregard of monitoring process by the ECP. So please have courage and learn to say spade a spade.
Amusing to read comments from people sitting outside Pakistan or in their villas. I live in a village and my cousin bought 1000 votes for our MNA in last election at the cost of 3 laks. The party was the winner :)N Welcome to kleptocracy Pakistani style LOL. I love democracy (I have read about it) but never seen it. So people stop this mantra of elected government. I know how this halva is made. I hope ET will show guts and post my comment.
Yes, as much unrelated as Shahbaz Sharif is to Nawaz Sharif.
Be careful if you try any general for abuse of power and usurping the constitution then the others would threaten you to do worse. Look who is out to support Mush, MQM, Ch. Brothers of PML-Q and likes. These are the same people repeatedly rejected by the masses of Pakistani heartland. Their only chance to come into power is via a general's coattail in a treasonous act. Can people of Pakistani heartland follow MQM and PML-N once again? The nation should demand what is the stand of PTI and IK on this matter of national debate?
@Sukkhur wala: In my view such sheer disrespect must not be allowed by ET moderator. Anyway like most of the people who comment here you are lying as well. He is far more educated than Musharraf who got into Army after the 12th grade. For your information Ahsan Iqbal is a Mechanical Engineer from UET. Also he holds MBA degree along with various extended courses including the the courses from Harvard university. Do some research before commenting here.
nightmare.....
English translation of an urdu proverb i.e. "its like an ostrich trying to hide his face in the sand" trying to justify its reasoning that there is no danger!
Who are these looters and plunderers to say anything against our great General who served Army all his life and truly sacrificed for Pakistan? What have these looters done to merit a say against Army?
@Sukkhur wala: Better check the academic achievements of Ahsan Iqbal before you prove your ignorance.
The only bunch of persons dragging Army into unnecessary debate is Pervaiz Musharraf's legal team.
First they tried to drag entire Army into article-6 proceedings against Musharraf. But Army stayed aloof.
Then they tried to scandalize the judiciary but failed.
Then they tried to malign the media. Kasuri was declaring certain media persons as "Indian Agent" but failed.
Now they are trying to create rift between different institutions of the State (i.e., between Army and the Government). These duffers don't know that Army is a department (subservient) of the Government.
Hence we respect Army as well as the Government and will not allow traitor's lawyers to succeed in their nefarious designs.
but army still related to musharraf
Ahsan Iqbal should remember that the armed forces of Pakistan are the defenders of our country and its constitution. Ridiculing and disrespecting the Army is a serious offense under the Constitution of Pakistan. Ahsan Iqbal cannot brush a side very serious offenses committed by his party against our patriotic Armed Forces.
So
Massive rigging is ok. Looting and plundering is ok Seriously weakening the army is ok Weakening the judicial system is ok Destroying the police is ok. Ensuring that all cases against NS and AZ and their cronies are buried for ever is okBut how dare any one say a word against these politicians - weakening the political system is treason!
@Salman: yeah an NRO by general musharraf was meant to promote honesty in the country
Ahsan Iqbal complete all your corruption quickly, your ruling days are numbered. Long live Musharraf an honest and sincere soldier.
Training given to Army personnel is how to defend the country and attack the enemy. General Musharraf is not tried for discharging his obligation as an Army C-In-C. He is facing trial for disregarding the Army tradition which is to obey the civilian authorities.
another tout of Nawaz Shareef speaking...elected by fake vote
Weaken the political system is an enemy? Yeah right, because that political system helps you loot and plunder the resources of this country.
Case is definitely maligning my army and army should do something to put these conspirators who are maligning my former army chief at bay before they really make Pakistan a banana republic for good sadly! Hate to say this but he is also being victimized because he isnt a punjabi! What has democracy given to me except inflation, joblessness, defunct law and order! I care for my country more then this fledgling theocratic obsolete democracy!
No one can stop Army from making it related if it wants to! It will be unpatriotic to stop them!
Not a good precedence Ashan Iqbal. Again Pakistan finding escape goats. If you want to go after someone strong to set an example for others then go after someone who is serving - get one of them judges or even better prosecute Nawaz Sharif for him to legitimizing the rule of Zial Ul Haq.
I wonder who will buy that line of reasoning ?
Another matric passed Nawaz's supporter. Voicing up. Making sure he gets to keep his job, stay as minister of planning..And to show his utmost loyalty to Nawaz and Shahbaz.
but it is ok to badmouth the army?!!!!!!!!
Fully agree with him. There is a difference between an Individual and an Institution