Pervez Musharraf -All the things he said

[waraich66]

All the things he said
Monday, 12 Oct, 2009 ‘I am a fighter, I will fight you. I do not give up and if you can shout, I can shout louder.’ – 18 September, 2005 (File Photo) Pakistan
Countdown to the October 12 coup A look back at the quotable quotes that marked Pervez Musharraf's years in office.


‘I'm not a politician. I don't have the makings of a politician. I believe in straight talk.’
On the 2002 elections timetable given out – BBC on 27 July, 2000



‘The people love me. I'm a popular leader wherever I go. Those who are protesting against me are idiots. They don't know anything.’
On people’s sentiments towards him – BBC on 15 October, 2001



‘It could be over in one day if you take out Mullah Omar and his leadership. Once you have done that, the campaign is over.’
On US-led attacks on Afghanistan - comments which he later denied making – BBC on 15 October, 2001



‘Ms Bhutto’s accountable to the nation for her misdeeds and legal action would be taken against her.’
On Benazir Bhutto announcing her return to Pakistan – Interview with the Guardian on May 16, 2001



‘If pressure on Pakistan becomes too great, then use of the atom bomb is possible - but only as an absolute last resort.’
On possibility of military conflict with India – BBC on 7 April, 2002



‘Most likely he's dead. Most likely. It's a guess. I can't say.’
On Osama bin Laden’s chances of being alive – BBC on 29 August, 2002



‘Initially I thought he may be dead. And I believe now that more chances are that he is alive. Now where he is, it can be either side of the border and I keep saying that maybe he's moving continuously. If he is moving with a small body of people around him, he could be on the Pakistani side. But if he is moving with a large body then I think Afghanistan is a better place to hide, because here he will be exposed.’
On Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts – BBC Breakfast with Frost interview on 22 June, 2003

‘I sweat very seldom but when I am confronted with documentary evidence about activities that Pakistan has denied being a part of then yes, I do start sweating.’
On evidence against activities Pakistan denies – BBC on 10 August, 2004



'This was a culture, a society which was moving towards extremism and fundamentalism, and I am trying to reverse this trend and give voice to the vast majority of Pakistanis who are moderate. Now these are not easy things which can be done by anyone, may I say. I'm sorry, I don't want to boast about myself, but there is a renaissance, there is a big change we are trying to bring about.’
On the possibility of remaining Army chief beyond the Dec. 31 deadline – New York Times on 20 September, 2004



'When I read about this issue of we are not doing enough and all that, I really don't like that at all for Pakistan. Who else is doing enough? Who else is doing anything, by the way? Only Pakistan is doing enough.'
On criticism of Pakistan's commitment to capturing Osama bin Laden – New York Times on 20 September, 2004



‘A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped.’
On the abuse and violence against women in Pakistan – Washington Post on 13 September, 2005



‘I am a fighter, I will fight you. I do not give up and if you can shout, I can shout louder.’
On denying making the women exploiting rape statements published in the Post interview – Dawn on 18 September, 2005



‘This issue is not that grave. The people who are comparing Balochistan with the situation in East Pakistan are not aware of the ground realities.’
On unrest in Balochistan – BBC on 14 March, 2005



‘Let's fence this border so that this blame game is killed once for ever.’
On accusations of letting militants cross the Afghan border – BBC interview with Barbara Plett on 1 March 2006



‘I know 200% that the people of Pakistan are with me, the vast majority. Don't be misled by a few thousand who come on the streets. The vast majority is with me. If they were not, first of all I would quit myself. The day I come to know I'm not popular, I'll quit. But more than that, they'll be out in the streets, and I would not be allowed to stay. If you see the history of past dictators in Pakistan, they were not allowed to stay by the people, because they were out in the streets by the millions.’
On being a popular leader – BBC interview with Barbara Plett on 1 March 2006



‘All this today, in the past six years, what I have done in Pakistan, is really the essence of democracy. What the West looks at is just the label of democracy.’
On defining democracy in Pakistan – BBC interview with Barbara Plett on 1 March 2006



'My brothers and sisters…what is happening to this country? Where are we going? How do we curb this downside movement?'
On declaring state of emergency – National Address on 3 November, 2007



'I had to take this action in order to preserve the democratic transition which I initiated eight years back….I request you all to bear with us. To the critics and idealists against this action, I would like to say, please do not expect or demand your level of democracy, which you learned over a number of centuries. We’re also trying to learn and we’re doing well. Please give us time. Please also do not demand your level of civil rights, human rights, civil liberties which you’ve learned over centuries… Please give us time.'
On justifying actions upon declaring state of emergency – National Address on 3 November, 2007



‘It hit me at the ceremony, I think, when I handed over the baton to the new army chief of staff. Uh, that ceremony that was very nostalgic, very emotional because I thought this is the day when I am leaving. I am no more the chief.’
On taking off the uniform – Good Morning America on 30 November, 2007



‘Let’s stop the blame game. We need to look at the reality, forget the past and look ahead. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I can tell you I tried my best for peace between India and Pakistan. I was never negative when the opportunity for peace came to me.’
On Pakistan-India relations during lecture in New Delhi – 'Musharraf Supporters' on 9 March, 2009



‘It’s good. I am relaxed. The most difficult job was to take decisions in highly complex situations. Now I read about them in the papers.’
On living in Pakistan and not being in charge, during lecture in New Delhi – 'Musharraf Supporters' on 9 March, 2009



'You think it is very logical that those people who are trying to kill me, that I will go and shake hands with them? Is it very logical? No, it is not logical, nothing of that sort has happened.'
On accusations of sympathising with the Talibans – Russia Today on 28 May, 2009

What a fighter?

 

[faisal4pro]

is it funny?................

 

[waraich66]

is it funny?................

Yes now you can laugh

 

[faisal4pro]

Yes now you can laugh

lol... i cant.... i only laugh on quality jokes!

 

[PAFAce]

I don't find it funny, but let's discuss this anyway. Thanks for posting this, Fundamentalist.
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Quotes by General (Retd.) Parvez Musharraf

‘I'm not a politician. I don't have the makings of a politician. I believe in straight talk.’
On the 2002 elections timetable given out – BBC on 27 July, 2000

Correct. This was his greatest failure, he was not a politician, he was a military leader. You don't run a country like you run the Army. Not even Pakistan.

‘It could be over in one day if you take out Mullah Omar and his leadership. Once you have done that, the campaign is over.’
On US-led attacks on Afghanistan - comments which he later denied making – BBC on 15 October, 2001

Disagree. It is an ideology. It must be countered through other, more abstract, means as well. But yes, chopping the head will be a start.

‘Ms Bhutto’s accountable to the nation for her misdeeds and legal action would be taken against her.’
On Benazir Bhutto announcing her return to Pakistan – Interview with the Guardian on May 16, 2001

Indeed. Action must be taken against her husband, Mr. Zardari, Mr. Sharif, and even you, Gen. Musharraf. Everyone is accountable for their mistakes. At least you were man enough to admit to them.

‘If pressure on Pakistan becomes too great, then use of the atom bomb is possible - but only as an absolute last resort.’
On possibility of military conflict with India – BBC on 7 April, 2002

And we expect nothing else from our COAS. Well said, straight and true. We did not build the bombs for decoration. Of all the countries with established nuclear weapons capability, we are probably the most open about its use. Everyone else still lives in hypocrisy.

'When I read about this issue of we are not doing enough and all that, I really don't like that at all for Pakistan. Who else is doing enough? Who else is doing anything, by the way? Only Pakistan is doing enough.'
On criticism of Pakistan's commitment to capturing Osama bin Laden – New York Times on 20 September, 2004

Indeed, and this is still true. Who else is doing as much? Who else has lost over a hundred people in a week to suicide bombings and armed assaults, and still continued their fight? Again, straight and true. He is definitely not a politician.

‘A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped.’
On the abuse and violence against women in Pakistan – Washington Post on 13 September, 2005

Very insensitive. But true. An extremely ridiculous thing to say under those circumstances.

‘This issue is not that grave. The people who are comparing Balochistan with the situation in East Pakistan are not aware of the ground realities.’
On unrest in Balochistan – BBC on 14 March, 2005

Correct. Not yet, at least. If we live in denial forever, that day will come as well.

‘Let's fence this border so that this blame game is killed once for ever.’
On accusations of letting militants cross the Afghan border – BBC interview with Barbara Plett on 1 March 2006

Let's fence it then. What's stopping us?

‘I know 200% that the people of Pakistan are with me, the vast majority. Don't be misled by a few thousand who come on the streets. The vast majority is with me. If they were not, first of all I would quit myself. The day I come to know I'm not popular, I'll quit. But more than that, they'll be out in the streets, and I would not be allowed to stay. If you see the history of past dictators in Pakistan, they were not allowed to stay by the people, because they were out in the streets by the millions.’
On being a popular leader – BBC interview with Barbara Plett on 1 March 2006

Which he did. Give the man credit, he stepped down when all of Pakistan came out on the streets. But, we will never forgive him for leaving us in the hands of Zardari.

‘All this today, in the past six years, what I have done in Pakistan, is really the essence of democracy. What the West looks at is just the label of democracy.’
On defining democracy in Pakistan – BBC interview with Barbara Plett on 1 March 2006

Disagree. A military leader as president, ruling for 9 years based on a referendum, talking about bringing about the essence of democracy. One of his rare statements that sounded more political than true. No wonder his approval plummeted.

'I had to take this action in order to preserve the democratic transition which I initiated eight years back….I request you all to bear with us. To the critics and idealists against this action, I would like to say, please do not expect or demand your level of democracy, which you learned over a number of centuries. We’re also trying to learn and we’re doing well. Please give us time. Please also do not demand your level of civil rights, human rights, civil liberties which you’ve learned over centuries… Please give us time.'
On justifying actions upon declaring state of emergency – National Address on 3 November, 2007

This was his other weakness. As the leader of a proud, sovereign nation, why would you go on television and "beg of" international powers? People saw him as a puppet, for these very reasons. People did not see him as they did Zia ul Haq.

‘Let’s stop the blame game. We need to look at the reality, forget the past and look ahead. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I can tell you I tried my best for peace between India and Pakistan. I was never negative when the opportunity for peace came to me.’
On Pakistan-India relations during lecture in New Delhi – 'Musharraf Supporters' on 9 March, 2009

He tried for peace with India, there is little denying that.

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All in all, he was neither all good nor all bad. He was just like you and I, a flawed individual, but with rare levels of resolve and capability. The man was a straight shooting military leader, trying to run a country and play political games at the same time. He was caught in no-man's land, and was outplayed by more seasoned local politicians and international powers. He defended his mistakes until the end, which was a mistake in itself, and he never showed the audacity to stand up to the Americans, even when they were wrong. Standing up to India was just not enough. In the end, he was left a leader with few followers. I oversimplify, of course, no man is easy to summarize, but this was my attempt.

 

[Student]

In my opinion the following were the major blunders blunders that Musharraf commited.

1. He issued NRO a hypocracy that can't be defended in any sane court of law. As a result we are left with Mr Z the most corrupt president ever.

2. The way he fired CJ. it was similar to the blunder Nawaz Sharif commited in 1999. This lead to his fall from power.

3. The way he handeled Lal Masjid. This act alienated the great majority of people.

Now when all is said and done Mr Musharraf should stay out of Pakistan and play golf and avoid press at all costs it will be good for the country and good for himself personaly.

 

[SSGPA1]

With all his flaws he is still better than Nawaz Sharif and Zardari.

Someone wrote that Gen. Musharraf didn't step up against the US.

Well here are some quotes for you to ponder:

"I hope the nation and the people will forgive my mistakes,"

Name a single ruler in Pakistan who has apologized to his people. Everyone blames everybody but him/her self.

"If that (impeachment) happens, let me assure that I'd be leaving office before they would do anything. If they won with this kind of majority and they formed a government that had the intention of doing this, I wouldn't like to stick around,"...

and he stood by his word! Give me another example in Pakistani politics.

"Despite all rumors, insinuations and every type of apprehensions, these elections will be free, fair, transparent and peaceful," Musharraf told a gathering of intellectuals in the capital of Islamabad.

Here you go, another promise which he kept.

Speaking of what he called an "obsession" with democracy in the West, Mr. Musharraf said, "You have taken centuries to reach where you have come. Allow us time for going for the value that you have reached for yourself."

No one can tell West this truth so bluntly.

"I have taken a firm decision to change these unjust rape laws as it was necessary to amend them to protect women," Musharraf said in a live televised address to the nation.

One of the many good things he did for Pakistan.

"A misperception is being created that the resurgence of Taliban is from Pakistan. This is absolutely wrong. The resurgence of the Taliban is in Afghanistan, but some support goes from Pakistan," Musharraf told a news conference at his army...

This is what our leaders need to say but where are NS and Imran Khan??

"You'll be brought down to your knees if Pakistan doesn't cooperate with you," President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said in an interview with British Broadcasting Corp. radio aired Saturday.

Can someone like NS or Zardari say this??

My personal favourite:

Musharraf told Singapore’s The Straits Times that Islamabad will resist any entry by coalition forces in the tribal areas, regarding that as a breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty.

“I challenge anybody coming into our mountains. They would regret the day. It’s not easy there,” he told the newspaper.

Nobody will come unless invited: “Nobody will come here until we ask them to come. And we haven’t asked them,” President Musharraf said.

Last one is for those who think Gen. Musharraf didn't stand up to the US and NATO!!