Islamabad sit-ins may usher in interim govt to effect change: Musharraf

He said he was not a supporter Imran Khan, Tahirul Qadri but both were speaking the truth


Web Desk September 30, 2014

KARACHI: As the Islamabad sit-ins enter their second month, former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf has said that that there is a chance that the protests may be able usher in an interim set up into power which would be supported by the army and the judiciary to effect change.

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.

COMMENTS (13)

Saad | 9 years ago | Reply

@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.

Destabilization | 9 years ago | Reply

@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.

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