13 years after coup, Musharraf still holds Sharifs’ responsible

[A.Rafay]

Today marks the 13th anniversary of the coup that brought the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Pervez Musharraf into power and brought an end to the government of elected prime minister Nawaz Sharif, forcing him to flee into exile to Saudi Arabia.
The chronology of events that took place on October 12 1999 and of those that caused the coup has been the centre of heated discussions on mainstream media following the end of Musharraf’s regime. Naturally, both major actors involved have taken opposite stances on the events that accrued and their legitimacy.
Nawaz Sharif maintains that Musharraf’s takeover was illegal and unconstitutional and was in fact a personal vendetta against his family. Musharraf, on the other hand termed his coming into power a necessity for the country and labels the Sharif government as corrupt. Discussing the political events that revolved around the coup on Express News last night, General Muhsarraf reiterated his stance that the Sharifs had signed a written agreement taking a safe route to exile in Saudi Arabia. He said that they (Sharifs) were in active contact with DG ISI General Mahmud in framing the contract that gave them a safe passage out of here.
Shahbaz Sharif, he said, did not want to leave Pakistan initially but eventually decided to go with the rest of the family. Musharraf said he was not vindictive towards the Sharifs despite the hijacking incident. He said that Hamza Shahbaz, son of Shahbaz Sharif, continued to live and operate his business in Lahore without obstruction and none of their children were prevented from going abroad for medical treatment. Commenting on the performance of the federal and Punjab provincial government, Musharraf said they had failed miserably. He opined that Pervez Elahi had done a much better job during his reign as Punjab chief minister. In response to a question, he said he felt betrayed at being deserted by PML-Q during the end of his presidential era. Interestingly, he was of the opinion that Pervez Elahi would still join forces with him whenever the former president came to Pakistan to participate in mainstream politics. In the forthcoming elections, Musharraf believed that neither PML-N nor Imran Khan would come into power.

 

[Meengla]

Sort of related: I remember the day of the coup: I was in Seattle driving to work--probably around 8:00 AM. Listening to NPR the guy said: "There is some disturbing news from Pakistan...". Went office and checked online source--another coup! I kind of felt good about the coup. Then read, I think, Cowasjee who poo-poohed Sharifs for plotting to overthrow Musharraf considering that the Pakistani military intelligence was way ahead of Sharif.
Anyway, the 'hijacking' of the PIA plane by Sharif is quite funny! It was Musharraf who sensed something wrong and didn't allow the plane to land until Musharraf's friends on the ground made it safe to land.
I also think the Sharifs were coward to cut a deal--a written one--after facing the prison for only two years. On top of that they kept denying the 'deal' until it was no more deniable.
As for Musharraf---his role in Pakistan is permanently over unless Army starts some other 'arrangement'.

 

[iPhone]

Problem with Musarraf is that he desperately wants to go back to Pak. He's bored out of his mind living in his apartment in London. Nobody to salute him. Nobody to cook for him. All that first grade elite army protocol is gone. For a person who enjoyed so much power, not just money, but power, living a life without that power is a nightmare.

 

[Thorough Pro]

Not a fan of sharifs or Zardari's or any politicain forthat matter, but regardless of what he says, the fact that he himself is living his life in exile is probably natures revenge from him.

If NS actually did something illegal, why did he let them go with a "proper agreement" tha the talks about, Isn't making agreements with criminals a crime itself?

OK, NS left after a forced agreement, what is his excuse for staying out?

NS was Royal guest in KSA, what is his source of income?

If he is not safe / afraid for his life how would he protect this nationn? Would he bring those 8/10 hour traffic jams again? how does he travel now? are there any traffic stoppages for him?

 

[pakistanitarzan]

Sort of related: I remember the day of the coup: I was in Seattle driving to work--probably around 8:00 AM. Listening to NPR the guy said: "There is some disturbing news from Pakistan...". Went office and checked online source--another coup! I kind of felt good about the coup. Then read, I think, Cowasjee who poo-poohed Sharifs for plotting to overthrow Musharraf considering that the Pakistani military intelligence was way ahead of Sharif.
Anyway, the 'hijacking' of the PIA plane by Sharif is quite funny! It was Musharraf who sensed something wrong and didn't allow the plane to land until Musharraf's friends on the ground made it safe to land.
I also think the Sharifs were coward to cut a deal--a written one--after facing the prison for only two years. On top of that they kept denying the 'deal' until it was no more deniable.
As for Musharraf---his role in Pakistan is permanently over unless Army starts some other 'arrangement'.

Are you from Seattle bro?

 

[root]

Whether you agree with his policies or not - One thing is for sure He was a patriot of Pakistan - Now enjoy people like Zardari and Nawaz Sharif.

 

[Thorough Pro]

Whether you agree with his policies or not - One thing is for sure He was a patriot of Pakistan - Now enjoy people like Zardari and Nawaz Sharif.

99% Pakistani's are patriotic. Musharraf is a bigtime liar and look at the mess he has left Pakistan in. All the econoimic growth associated with his tenure was because of enormous aid because of 2005 earthquake and award for fighting americas WOT.

 

[MilSpec]

99% Pakistani's are patriotic. Musharraf is a bigtime liar and look at the mess he has left Pakistan in. All the econoimic growth associated with his tenure was because of enormous aid because of 2005 earthquake and award for fighting americas WOT.

And 99% of the patriotic pakistanis you refer to were sleeping, when a military dictator overthrew a democratically elected government.

 

[third eye]

This is what all dictators do. Blame others for their actions.

' I am sorry I am breaking the law of the land, the Army Act and setting a dangerous precedent for others to follow.
I am also setting a bad example to young officers who also could take similar action when their superior gives them an order.."

Mr NS, you are to blame for all what I do now & later.

 

[Nothing]

Sort of related: I remember the day of the coup: I was in Seattle driving to work--probably around 8:00 AM. Listening to NPR the guy said: "There is some disturbing news from Pakistan...". Went office and checked online source--another coup! I kind of felt good about the coup. Then read, I think, Cowasjee who poo-poohed Sharifs for plotting to overthrow Musharraf considering that the Pakistani military intelligence was way ahead of Sharif.
Anyway, the 'hijacking' of the PIA plane by Sharif is quite funny! It was Musharraf who sensed something wrong and didn't allow the plane to land until Musharraf's friends on the ground made it safe to land.
I also think the Sharifs were coward to cut a deal--a written one--after facing the prison for only two years. On top of that they kept denying the 'deal' until it was no more deniable.
As for Musharraf---his role in Pakistan is permanently over unless Army starts some other 'arrangement'.

Still in Seattle ?

 

[tarrar]

For me the problems that Pakistan is in today specially Balochistan it is mainly because of Nawaz Sharif & Benazir Bhutoo. They have ruled Pakistan at time when they could had taken Pakistan to a good future but instead they chose to work for US & they were part of US plan which was to destabilize Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif was the one who had ruined Balochistan. Both Benazir & Nawaz did nothing for Pakistan except for robbing Pakistan daily & fooling the people of Pakistan, for me PML-N & PPP are the main reason that Pakistan is in today.

The people are stupid & they are useless they want these people to be in power again who are the enemies of Pakistan & they have no love for Pakistan what so ever.

 

[Thorough Pro]

For me the problems that Pakistan is in today specially Balochistan it is mainly because of Nawaz Sharif & Benazir Bhutoo.

That is so way off, Baluchistan problem flared up after Musharraf killed Bugti, Oh I guess tha too should be blamed on NS & BB.

 

[truthseer]

Musharraf was another Zia, it's his fault!