Islamabad sit-ins may usher in interim govt to effect change: Musharraf
While talking to Express News show host Rana Mubasher during the programme Suno, the former president said the way both Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were demanding change. He said that the situation was headed towards an empowered interim setup which would be supported by the army and judiciary to effect change.
However, Musharraf was quick to clarify that while he personally does not support either Dr Tahirul Qadri nor Imran Khan, they were right.
“Everyone wants local body elections to take place such that powers could be devolved to lower levels,” he said. “Every child knows the elections of 2013 were extensively rigged.”
In a rare moment, though, Musharraf said that he would support Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, if his administration ran the country’s in an appropriate manner.
The former president argued that center's control over provinces was loosening, whereas the capital had been moved to Raiwind. He lamented that all indicators were pointing towards the country’s downward spiral.
“Masses are facing gas, electricity and water crises, and any one opposing change is a hypocrite.”
Musharraf said that the current members of parliament supported the status quo. He warned that the country was passing through a critical phase, and if the situation is not controlled, then anything could happen.
The former president was of the view that the masses still loved the military, while those sitting in Parliament always sought to criticise the armed forces even though the military works as per the policy formulated by the government. He said that undermining the army would hurt the nation's interests.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb a success
Regarding the continuing operation against militants in North Waziristan, the former military dictator said the army had destroyed their stronghold in Mir Ali.
Musharraf said the operation had broken the back of militants.
“In Wazirstan they [Taliban] had an advantage of time and space but Operation Zarb-e-Azb has severely weakened them,” he said.
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@sterry: Your stated "Only Good Projects" have not helped the cause for basic necessities of having food, shelter, security & health. Metro bus was a waste of money and it has seriously done nothing to boost the economy or the living standards of common people and if u agree to disagree then your living in a fool's paradise where we would start licking motorway roads and eat metro buses. Secondly a government always reforms long-term policies and short term policies, short term policies ushers your resolves and boosts your strengths among the masses, name me one single thing that they have introduced or intervened a policy that would benefit the country, only thing that have increased are the suicide rates in Pakistan.
@Haroon: "ET watch your language as you call him “dictator”. His actions were endorsed by judiciary and he was elected as President by parliament." The judiciary caved in and the parliament was the result of massively rigged elections with lotas supporting Musharraf for gains, political as well as economic. He could rig elections, especially the ones held on 2002, as he was an absolute dictator/demagogue/demigod. Sad that you like despots and the one who subverted the Constitution and the State of Pakistan for personal political ambitions.
Musharraf is the reason why sit-ins are taking place in Islamabad. About a month ago, the APML said that dharnas and political deadlock will be removed if Musharraf is let off.
@Syed: The only good road projects are the motorways which have transformed Pakistan and the Metrobus is helping common people with efficient mass transit as supported by the WHO. How can you possibly be critical of these projects and ignore that a dictator like Musharraf ruled for 10 years and didn't add 1 MW of electricity to the country? People like Musharraf who take over illegally are the ones who have done the greatest damage to Pakistan. The stability of the country and its future depend on supporting institutions and democracy even though they are not perfect. It takes time to develop these things but only the most impatient people expect everything to be fixed in one year. We all need to be realistic and honest about facts. Musharraf is looking for a back door way of taking over again but the nation cannot afford to be damaged like the last time he came.
Musharraf would never tire of hatching conspiracies and of subverting Pakistan. He is at it again. The sit-ins are his doing but he shall never admit.
The PPP and N couldn't get repaired the roads constructed by Musharraf. They couldn't do a single constructive thing except swindling national wealth in the name of Motor Way and Metro Bus, without considering the actual on ground people's needs. Musharraf had put on track the Economy of Pakistan derailed due to "Flourishing Democracy" of PPP and Noos. The same situation, rather worst than those conditions are existing today. If we have to keep Pakistan intact then we will have to get Musharraf back, supported by the Army and Judiciary.
These democrates will get enough time and support to rectify their past mistakes . The next election is due after four years from now . They are also doing their best but failed to generate required public support due to several impediments beyond their control . They also deserve support to over come energy shlrtage and growth in GDP . I hope with due support they will try their best as they should be very clear about their fate in presence of Mussaraf in the next election whe ever it will take place in future.
I cannot take any thing away from this gentleman he creates a good atmosphere in the country now peoples are remembering those days, the politicians says the present environment is due to past wrong doings of dictator i ask very humbly (although those were the best days for Pakistan) how much more time these democrats will take to put Pakistan on trail of prosperity. "THEY GOING TO RIP APART PAKISTAN AND RAN AWAY"
All exixting leaders and political parties and judiciary wants to keep away Musarraf from the politial domaign of the Pakistan so that status qoa can be continued but he has re entered in Pakistan with a firm determination and required back ground to vitalise the political and social image of the country on international forum through elimiating the terrorists and their supporting systems from the country .
ET watch your language as you call him "dictator". His actions were endorsed by judiciary and he was elected as President by parliament.
Salute this guy for his sincerity and honesty with Pakistan. Wish could see his era again in Pakistan.
Best leader that Pakistan ever had. Time has proved that all his decisions, be it expulsion of CJ, ban on GEO, war against TTP, etc. All were absolutely correct. Jye Musharraf.
All I can hope for is good change for Pakistan
We have had enough PPP and PML-N .. how many more times does this nation want to test these corrupt parties..
End VIP Culture VIP protocols even don't allow ambulances to pass ..