The Hidden Truth Behind Musharraf's 25 Thousand Pound British "Protection"
In the last few weeks a sudden increase has been seen in news, internet activity and blogs related to the issue of security costs for General (retd.) Pervez Musharraf. The instance a news is put up giving the details of the costs on Musharraf's security, in minutes up to ten comments appear all not only criticizing the exercise but all saying nearly the same thing. Also, up to two of these comments are seemingly from Muslims who demean Musharraf for not relying on God's protection but on humans.
If one reads the news and comments below the news, he/she quickly comes to the conclusion:
i) Musharraf=Saddam/Augusto Pinochet;
ii) Musharraf has looted untold amounts of money which he is not using but instead making British tax payers pay for his security;
iii) Musharraf is too scared to go out in open without British security; and
iv) Musharraf is having a life of luxury and pleasure in his "three bed-room flat" in a not so posh area of London where no millionaires or politicians live.
Some Other Facts
No one talked about the security details provided to Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. No British news paper ran the story nor does the public know how much it costed the British tax payer.
Although it is indirectly well propagated that Musharraf has looted untold amounts of monies from Pakistan but he is unwilling to use any of his money to buy his protection, i.e. he is willing to die rather than use the money he has "looted". Also, this person who has looted billions is living in a middle class suburb of London in a simple three bed room flat. All this implies that Musharraf has looted billions but does not want to spend a single penny of these looted on himself - and has safely stashed them away (for who and what reason no one knows). Contrast this to two former Prime Ministers of Pakistan who looted billions from the poor public and bought palaces in every country they visited.
Comparing Musharraf's security with other political figures in London, we need to highlight another fact. If one of them is given a security detail of 1 pound, in return he/she usually spends 100 or 1000 pounds (from the looted money). This is not the case with Musharraf. In fact he is the first such personality who is givin the British a "net loss", i.e. British Government is spending a lot more on him than he is spending in London. This must be one of the causes of sleepless nights for some.
Currently, there are many others who are recipient of similar British courtesy; Altaf Hussain to name one. But how much he is getting from British Government/MI6 or how much he is giving them no one knows.
The case of Salman Rushdie is purposely not discussed here. However, this much would be said: There have been numerous deadly assassination attempts on Musharraf from which he had barely escaped alive, but none so far on Rushdie. Dectractors who have announced to kill Musharraf are still alive and at large - the only person who declared Rushdie to be eligible for murder is dead.
The Hidden Truth
Musharraf never asked the British Government for his current security detail. When he was offered in the beginning he politely declined. After which he was deemed a public security risk and round the clock monitoring of his activities was initiated on the premise that he is a public hazard.
To be short and simple, the British Government needs to keep a "very" close eye on Musharraf's activities. If it uses normal espionage techniques it would lead to a disgrace on international level if it ever comes out (which would eventually come out). There are two reasons (which are purposely not discussed here) for which the British aka US needs a close eye on Musharraf. Seeing no other way, they opted for this unconventional yet somewhat effective approach. Seeing the media raising its eyebrows over the amount being spent on keeping Musharraf's activities in check, the government purposely released the figures and is trying to take the story in a completely different direction.
Food for Thought
One last food for thought for all Musharraf detractors. If he has looted billions from Pakistan then:
i) why doesn't he spend any of that on himself or his family (including son and daughter)?
ii) why doesn't he use his looted money to buy his security if he feels threatened?
No one wants to answer these two questions.
Pakistan League - GA Pasha
