HIGH WYCOMBE: Former president Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf has said that he is wrongly blamed for paving the way for President Asif Ali Zardari through National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and the responsibility lies with the elected representatives of Pakistani people in the two houses of the parliament who voted for him to become the president of the country.
Speaking to around 400 activists of his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) here, Musharraf vowed that he will return to Pakistan before the general election, expected to be held in May this year, and will stand in all provinces but didnt commit a date yet again.
Musharraf admitted that his party was in the doldrums because of his absence from Pakistan but said that his supporters will galvanise once he returns to Pakistan to lead his party. Musharraf praised Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri for staging a successful dharna in Islamabad, for highlighting the issues of masses who feel abandoned by the major parties and for bringing the government to agree to some points of his demands. He said it remained to be seen whether the government keeps its promise or not but in any case, said Musharraf, Qadri deserved praise for jolting the status quo of Pakistani politics. He criticised Imran Khan for failing to make the right decision and support Qadris long march and as a result standing neither here nor there in the new political scenario.
He said Qadris march had sent a powerful message that Pakistanis love democracy and can demand their rights peacefully, without resorting to violence. Qadri showed to the world how despondent Pakistani public has become with current corrupt political class and how dysfunctional they are. They are looking for a messiah and thats why the masses supported Qadri, said Musharraf.
The former military ruler said: Dictatorship is a state of mind, it doesnt lie in uniform. I empowered masses of Pakistan and vulnerable section of the society. Look at how the country is going to the dogs under the so-called democrats. The essence of democracy is to serve and look after the public but if the living standards of the people are in a free fall then this system means nothing. Five more years of such kind of democracy will mean more nepotism, corruption and bad governance and that will take Pakistan towards more abyss.
Speaking about the economic situation of Pakistan, Musharraf said: The whole world is now saying that Pakistans economy is in a state of severe depression, the people are unemployed, inflation has risen by more than 4 percent, there is no petrol and gas, commercial activity is at zero level and all the indicators suggest that Pakistan is headed towards a cliff. It is clear the government has no control and policy about the economy of Pakistan, he said. Musharraf said it saddened him how Pakistanis are killing each other in the name of religion and sect. This is the real tragedy with the Islamic world that Muslims are divided and are killing each other, he said. Musharraf took exception to criticism on him about his religious beliefs. Some people cast aspersions on my Islamic credentials but I am proud of being a Syed and from the lineage of the Hazart Muhammad (SAW). Allah honoured me that the doors of Khana Kaba were opened for me six times, the Door of Forgiveness was especially opened for me and I raised the slogan of Allah Akbar from the floor. I have offered prayers for Pakistan 6 times at the Roza-e-Rasool (SAW). But I dont regard myself as a superior Muslim but I dont give anyone the right to regard himself a bigger Muslim than me.
I
Speaking to around 400 activists of his All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) here, Musharraf vowed that he will return to Pakistan before the general election, expected to be held in May this year, and will stand in all provinces but didnt commit a date yet again.
Musharraf admitted that his party was in the doldrums because of his absence from Pakistan but said that his supporters will galvanise once he returns to Pakistan to lead his party. Musharraf praised Tehrik-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri for staging a successful dharna in Islamabad, for highlighting the issues of masses who feel abandoned by the major parties and for bringing the government to agree to some points of his demands. He said it remained to be seen whether the government keeps its promise or not but in any case, said Musharraf, Qadri deserved praise for jolting the status quo of Pakistani politics. He criticised Imran Khan for failing to make the right decision and support Qadris long march and as a result standing neither here nor there in the new political scenario.
He said Qadris march had sent a powerful message that Pakistanis love democracy and can demand their rights peacefully, without resorting to violence. Qadri showed to the world how despondent Pakistani public has become with current corrupt political class and how dysfunctional they are. They are looking for a messiah and thats why the masses supported Qadri, said Musharraf.
The former military ruler said: Dictatorship is a state of mind, it doesnt lie in uniform. I empowered masses of Pakistan and vulnerable section of the society. Look at how the country is going to the dogs under the so-called democrats. The essence of democracy is to serve and look after the public but if the living standards of the people are in a free fall then this system means nothing. Five more years of such kind of democracy will mean more nepotism, corruption and bad governance and that will take Pakistan towards more abyss.
Speaking about the economic situation of Pakistan, Musharraf said: The whole world is now saying that Pakistans economy is in a state of severe depression, the people are unemployed, inflation has risen by more than 4 percent, there is no petrol and gas, commercial activity is at zero level and all the indicators suggest that Pakistan is headed towards a cliff. It is clear the government has no control and policy about the economy of Pakistan, he said. Musharraf said it saddened him how Pakistanis are killing each other in the name of religion and sect. This is the real tragedy with the Islamic world that Muslims are divided and are killing each other, he said. Musharraf took exception to criticism on him about his religious beliefs. Some people cast aspersions on my Islamic credentials but I am proud of being a Syed and from the lineage of the Hazart Muhammad (SAW). Allah honoured me that the doors of Khana Kaba were opened for me six times, the Door of Forgiveness was especially opened for me and I raised the slogan of Allah Akbar from the floor. I have offered prayers for Pakistan 6 times at the Roza-e-Rasool (SAW). But I dont regard myself as a superior Muslim but I dont give anyone the right to regard himself a bigger Muslim than me.
I
