Musharraf to reveal many secrets

Islamabad—Former President and General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf plans to reveal many secrets within next few weeks including the reason and causes that led him to make unpopular decisions and actions.

According to a source who is in touch with the former President now abroad, Pervez Musharraf would like to clear his own position and unfold the circumstances and situation that caused several fatal actions including the Operation against Lal Masjid and the tragic death of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti.

Political experts say that startling revelations by Musharraf may cause a new political storm in the country and clarify the role and character of others behind the number of actions and moves that led to the downfall of Musharraf regime. Observers believe that Musharraf may also touch on original understanding of NRO reached between Musharraf regime and Pakistan People’s Party that led to the return of Benazir Bhutto and subsequent elections in the country.

The source said Musharraf may opt to hold a series of media interviews revealing many untold stories and events that took place between 2006-2008.

President Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visit ancestral graveyard of Bhutto family

By GR Gorar and
Abdul Ghaffar Khoso
LARKANA: President Asif Ali Zardari along with Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday visited the graves of the martyrs of Bhutto family at Garhi Khuda Bux. They visited the mausoleums of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. President Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari laid floral wreaths at the graves of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and founder Chairman of PPP and former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and offered fateha. They also visited the graves of late Shireen Amir Begum, the first wife of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto and laid wreaths and offered fateha. Sindh Law Minister Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Senior Vice President PPP Larkana district Dr. Shafqat Hussain Soomro, MPA Ghulam Mujadid Isran, Abdul Fateh Bhutto, Khair Muhammad Shaikh, Ghulam Mustafa Lghari, Aijaz Laghari and PPP leaders were present on the occasion. Earlier, on arrival at the Garhi Khuda Bux helipad, President Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were received by the Sindh Law Minister Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Dr. Shafqat Hussain Soomro and other PPP leaders.
Flood affectees stage protests in Larkana
Different protest demonstrations were staged by the flood victims in the relief camps at Municipal Stadium, Pilot School, Girls College, Degree College, Station Road and other areas against the provision unhygienic food and contaminated water.
While talking to newsmen, the protestors condemned the local authorities for not providing them facilities. They demanded of the high-ups to take notice of the matter and provide them facilities, otherwise they have threatened to extend their protest level.
Meeting of Sindhi Sahafi Sangat held
A meeting of Sindh Sahafi Sangat (SSS) held on Tuesday. In the meeting the leaders of SSS discussed different party matters. They announced to establish relief goods collecting camps for the flood affectees after Eid-ul-Fitr.
On the occasion, Nazir Ahmed Siyal, Muhammad Ali, Qazi Aijaz, Imtiaz Ali, M Yaseen, Barkat Ali, A Ghaffar and others were also present.
District Officer Civil Defense Larkana briefs about relief works
Civil Defense Larkana authorities are actively participating in relief work during flood situation in Larkana and Kamber-Shahdadkot. This was said by the District Officer Civil Defense Larkana Ghulam Akbar Buriro while talking to newsmen on Tuesday.
He added that his department has so far provided 700 tents to the flood affected people and installed tents at 14 points in Larkana district. He further informed that the civil defense volunteers are engaged in rescue and relief works since several weeks.

Nawaz Sharif to celebrate Eid with flood affectees

LAHORE: PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that he would celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with the flood affectees to show solidarity with them.

Quaid PML-N said this while talking to PML-N delegation led by President PML-N Saudi Arabia Mirza Ataf in Lahore who donated 56 lakh rupees for the rehabilitation of flood affectees.

Nawaz Sharif admired the patriotism of PML-N leaders, workers and activists who has generously donated and participated in the rehabilitation of the flood victims. He also urged the PML-N leaders, workers and the people to come forth and help their brothers and sisters who in need and facing all sorts of difficulties. He assured that his party will stand shoulder to shoulder of flood-affectees.

The delegation of overseas PML-N leaders headed by President PML-N Saudi Arabia Mirza Altaf called on upon Nawaz Sharif and handed over cheques of donations for the rehabilitation of flood Affectees.

Assault on judiciary

The judiciary is considered a vital pillar of national strength. Justice is the fulcrum that keeps people contended and ensures the respectful image of any society. Pakistan’s bleak period of military rule from General Ayub Khan to General Pervez Musharraf is a saga of utter degradation of the apex court, which ‘legitimised’ ouster of the elected leaders on contrived pleas of corruption and inefficiency, and Parliament compliantly endorsed the judgments. The outgoing dictator, who was given a proper send-off under the civil government, as if he were a rightful ruler, was an act which shows how puerile is our political mind. A viable military is indeed a very important element of national power, but it must not transgress its obligation to remain glued to its professional acumen, and be in a state of constant readiness to take on the ‘enemy’, should it embark upon any adventure against Pakistan. The blunder Musharraf committed resulted in the Kargil fiasco.


I once had an opportunity to visit Sri Lanka to attend a Conference on Brahimi Commission Report on UN Peace Keeping Operation (2002), which was attended by top brass retired military officers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, besides some prominent foreign scholars. Other Pakistanis attending the conference were Lt Gen (Retd) Talat Masood and Maj Gen (Retd) Jamshed Ayaz. Often after dinner we would have interactional sessions with several Indian army officers. Discussions mainly converged on the Kashmir issue and the so-called crossborder terrorism on the part of Pakistan. What became clear was that Musharraf was the most “hated” among the Indian army personnel. It was only after he reneged from the historical UN Resolution on Kashmir and offered a so-called “out-of-box” approach; he became relatively acceptable to the Indian Establishment. This clearly highlights the dangers of the military or in fact any other institution, taking unilateral steps on sensitive issues. Each institution must carry out its own job diligently without interfering in the working of others

Nawaz: Pan-institutional accountability must

Lahore—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Quaid Nawaz Sharif has said that accountability of every state institution including army must be carried out through parliament.

He said this while responding to a question of media men regarding extension in the service of General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as COAS after enquiring the health of PML-N leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi in Lahore General Hospital on Monday.

Nawaz said the PML-N waged a just struggle for good traditions instead of power. We are waging a struggle for strengthening of democratic institutions.

Nawaz remained with Makhdoom Javed Hashmi for some time and expressed good wishes for him. He also inquired from doctors about present health condition of PML-N leader.

The PML-N Quaid told reporters that Makhdoom Javed Hashmi is speedily recovering. He said Makhdoom Javed Hashmi is an asset for the party who not only courageously faced dictatorship but rendered sacrifices for the cause of democracy.

Responding to a question, Sharif said he would never compromise on principles and those who are saying that he would be left alone would see the results in the year 2013. He also recited verses in support of his argument on this occasion.

About the fake degree holders, the PML-N Quaid asked the government to purge fake degree holders from every institution of the country. “The PML-N will never compromise on this issue. If there is any possible threat to us due to the action against the fake degree holders, we don’t care…they must be expelled,” he asserted. He also asked media personnel to expose fake degree holders either they are within government, any institution or even in the media. “Fake degree holders are the black sheep… I request the media to expose such elements,” he said. He also said he had asked the Chairman National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education Abid Sher Ali to remain committed on the issue and make no compromise.

Regarding passage of resolution against media by the Punjab Assembly, the PML-N leader said no body would be allowed to use PML-N’s platform against media. He said that the media is doing the right job and PML-N fully supports the media freedom. He said that resolution in Punjab Assembly on July 9 was condemnable while appropriate action will be taken against PML-N legislator Sanaullah Mastikhel.

PML-N Punjab strongly opposes Nawaz Sharif’s decision to oust Mastikhel from party

ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary party of PML-N Punjab Chapter has expressed its strong opposition to recent directives of PML-N head, Mian Nawaz Sharif regarding ousting of Sanaullah Mastikhel from Party ranks.

The MPA from Punjab was penalized for initiating a resolution against media in the Punjab assembly, and Mian Nawaz Sharif had issued his directives to oust the MPA, during a press conference in London and afterwards in telephonic directives passed on to Mian Shahbaz Sharif.

Many senior leaders and party members have expressed their utter astonishment, reservations, and concerns over this directive of ousting Sanaullah Mastikhel, and have even threatened to resign en masse if these directives were ever carried out.

Mian Sahbaz Sharif, while conveying the feelings and decision of party members /leadership to Mian Nawaz Sharif, has requested grace time for an enquiry being carried out by party’s disciplinary committee probing the MPA’s issue.

When contacted the PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal informed Online that party had constituted a disciplinary party to probe the issue, which was formulating its report.

It was also clarified that when Mian Nawaz Sharif issued his directives, he was under the wrong impression that the MPA had passed the anti-media resolution in his personal capacity; however a closer probe has revealed that 17 other MPAs were also signatories to this resolution, making it a personalized group, and not a party decision.

Pervez Musharraf planning to return to politics: Aide

ISLAMABAD: Former president Pervez Musharraf is planning to return to Pakistan from self-exile and head the newly formed All Pakistan Muslim League, his top aide said today.

"We have organised co-ordinating councils, we call them, which are at present involved in recruiting people or getting people to join All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) which is the political party, which Inshah Allah, be led by president Musharraf and will bring the sort of progress and prosperity to Pakistan that it had in time when Musharraf was around," retired general Rashid Qureshi said.

Qureshi, who was the military and presidential spokesperson for Musharraf, has been in the forefront in setting up the APML.

"You see, earlier on, president Musharraf was not actively involved in politics. Yes, he was at one time, the chief executive of the country and later on the President of Pakistan. But the political side was being handled by the PML(Q) and all political decisions were taken by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Parvez Ilahi, obviously in consultation with the president," he said.

"Some of these political decisions turned out to be not very popular with the people of Pakistan," he added.

Musharraf has lived outside Pakistan since mid-April last year. He left Pakistan after a slew of cases were filed against him in courts across the country. Musharraf is mostly based in London after leaving the country.

The former president was forced to step down as army chief in November 2008 and was earlier barred from active politics in the country for two years.