Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Were they speaking out before too? Those who maintained their stance are of course better than those who were silent for some "reasons" and now speaking out.

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Some of them were, and quite frankly, most of them started doing it after Musharraf stepped down from the army, because after literally tarnishing the image of the Armed Forces by making them do whatever it took for him to hang on to his kursi, he decided to ruin it even more, and staying illegally in the Army House is another.

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

Some of them might be trying to save their own skin now by opposing Musharraf now.

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

^ Name some... In any case, if they are saving their skins, that means they were doing something wrong under the brilliant and flawless leadership of Musharraf.

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

http://dawn.com/2008/06/06/fea.htm#3

Men in mufti forget their days in khaki

By Zahid Hussain

IT IS quite amusing to watch retired Generals turn into born again democrats. What an irony that those who had been closely associated with military regimes in the past now champion the cause of democracy and civil rights. It is nauseating to see those pontificating on rule of law who themselves had trampled the constitution and conspired against elected governments. One wonders whether it is awakening of their conscience or an attempt to cover up their own misdeeds.

It is certainly not the love of democracy but their own agenda that has prompted them to jump on to the bandwagon. It is what one friend termed retired radicalisation syndrome which now we see in plenty among ex-generals. They know well how to manipulate public opinion through an increasingly powerful electronic media.

Most of these retired officers, now gathered under the banner of Ex-Servicemen Society, represent General Zia’s legacy and are trying to exploit the popular anti Musharraf sentiment to achieve their own objectives. While demanding the impeachment of President Musharraf, should they also not present themselves for trial or at least apologise to the nation for their own deeds?

It is appalling to see likes of General Faiz Ali Chishti, a key leader of General Zia’s 1977 military coup, now becoming the standard bearers of civil liberty. What does he have to say about his role in the most brutal military rule and in execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Then there are likes of General Aslam Beg and General Hamid Gul whose role in subverting the democratic process is more than evident. People may not have forgotten “Operation Jackal”, a plot by the ISI to destabilise Benazir Bhutto’s first government in 1990.

Lt-Gen Asad Durrani, a former head of the ISI and now an active member of the Society, had confessed having distributed millions of rupees among the politicians being favoured by the military establishment in the 1990 elections. Should these Generals not be held accountable for those actions?

It was interesting to watch Lt-Gen (retd) Gulzar Kiani’s interview on a private TV channel the other day, castigating his old boss for the military’s misadventure in Kargil and for his pro-US policies. He even suggested that Musharraf be tried for treason.

General Kiani was an important member of the military junta which seized power deposing an elected government in 1999. Number two in the ISI, he was appointed commander of the key 10th corps immediately after the coup, making him a crucial member of the military regime until his retirement in 2003-4.

One wonders why it took him so long to speak out. He even accepted the coveted job of chairman Federal Public Commission before he fell out with his chief. It seems less about the truth than getting even with Musharraf who he had served loyally for so many years. How did he find the courage now when Musharraf is down, and not when he was all powerful? There is no dispute that the Kargil misadventure had disastrous consequences and a commission be set up to ascertain responsibility for the fiasco. But the General should also have the moral courage to accept his own culpability.

In General Kiani’s more than hour-long harangue, there was no atonement of his own role in strengthening Musharraf’s military rule. Many people still remember the role of 10th corps in manipulating the local government elections in 2000. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the former federal minister, could tell more about how he was summoned to the corps headquarters and forced to step down as a candidate for Rawalpindi Nazim in favour of Tariq Kiani, believed to be a member of General’s clan. Sheikh Rashid had not shifted his loyalty to the military regime until then.

It is true that General Kiani was one of the corps commanders who opposed the turnaround in Pakistan policy of supporting Taliban government in the aftermath of 9/11. During his tenure as ISI’s director of operations he was responsible for helping the conservative Taliban government in Afghanistan and supporting the militant struggle in Kashmir, which explains his hardline position.

But like many others of his kind, General Kiani did not have clear answer to what other option Pakistan had after 9/11 terrorists attacks. Could Pakistan have continued to support the Taliban government in defiance of the international community and UN Security Council resolutions? The policy of supporting the Taliban regime had not only isolated Pakistan, but carried a huge consequence for the country. The rise of militancy which now threatens Pakistans own security has been largely the result of the policy which the military pursued over more than two decades. Should Pakistan revert to old policy of supporting militancy and endanger its own security even further?

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Lahore/06-Jun-2008/Musharraf-a-relic-of-past-Aslam-Beg
Musharraf a relic of past: Aslam Beg

 	     just now  	 	 		 						 LAHORE - Former Chief of Army Staff General(r)Mirza Aslam Beg has said February 18 election results were against the expectations of President Musharraf and the United States. Musharraf is a relic of the past and we should look forward now

Addressing the gathering of lawyers of Lahore Bar Association (LBA) here Thursday at Aiwan-e-Adl ahead of lawyers weekly rally, Beg said the revolution, which the US wants in Pakistan, will come through conspiracies rather than movements. He said that political and religious parties have been involved in conspiracies in one or other form.
He said to strengthen their movement the lawyers will have to persuade political parties to join them. He called for the formation of a national coordination committee in this regard. He said the lawyers should have participated in by-election so that they could raise their voice on floor of assemblies.
Beg disclosed that once Nawaz Sharif carried out nuclear tests, his exit was written on the wall as Americans had a gut feeling that their interests in the region were under threat.
Aslam Baig criticised the role of the America regarding democratic process in the country as well as religious parties. He said forces are trying to sabotage the public mandate and if it happens, it will be a great national loss. He said Benazir Bhutto’s assassination changed people’s minds that could might bring a revolution in Pakistan.
He said that everyone should sit together and decide the procedure how to enforce the public mandate. General Kayani’s decision to keep army out of politics is a vital step, he added.
Beg said the lawyers must have their political agenda to ensure success of their struggle for independent judiciary. He said the lawyers need to convey their message to the elected assemblies as it is need of the hour.
He observed that the lawyers’ struggle was facing hardships and it had also entered in a crucial phase as conspiracies were being hatched against their struggle. He said the lawyers should have the support of political parties to counter the conspiracies adding for this purpose all democratic forces including PML-N , PPPP, APDM and others must unite to save the present coalition government.
Beg said that he was shocked that Aitzaz Ahsan withdrew his candidature for contesting the polls. He appreciated the public,media and political parties for joining the lawyers’ movement and termed it the blessings of the Almighty Allah.
He urged the lawyers and media to work for the national reconciliation in the interest of the country.
He urged all the democratic forces to support the ruling parties to save the democratic system from external conspiracies." All political parties must honour the public mandate of February 18 and try to save the coalition government because if it failed then there would be a lot of problems including chaos and uncertaininty," he concluded.
Manzoor Qadir President LBA, Abdul Latif Sera Secretary LBA and other leaders of the lawyers also addressed and vowed to continue their struggle till the restoration of the judges.

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

aslam baig can do no wrong. :)

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

Friday, June 06, 2008
By Our Correspondent

**Lawyers demand trial of Musharraf

** LAHORE

LAWYERS on Thursday observed complete boycott of courts and held a rally for the restoration of deposed judges.

Hunger strike camps and general house meetings of bar associations were also held in which lawyer leaders pledged to keep the ongoing movement alive until judges were restored. Lawyers also demanded trial of President Musharraf under Article 6 of the constitution.

In provincial metropolis two protest rallies were held - one by the Lahore Bar Association (LBA) and another by the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA).

The boycott implementation committee of the LHCBA made an all-out effort to ensure complete boycott of courts by visiting courtrooms to restrain lawyers from appearing before PCO-judges.

Lawyers marched from Aiwan-e-Adal to Punjab Assembly Chowk. Lawyers of LHCBA joined the rally at GPO Chowk. Activists of the PML-N, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, the Jamat-e-Islami, the Khaksaar Tehreek, the Labour Party, the Judicial Activism Panel, civil society and student organisations also participated in the protest rally.

At Punjab Assembly Chowk, lawyers staged a sit-in and demanded immediate resignation of President Musharraf. Slogans such as “Go Musharraf Go”, “PCO judges not acceptable”, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad”, and “We want freedom from d” were chanted for an hour on The Mall.

During the rally, traffic on The Mall and other adjoining roads was blocked and commuters remained stuck in the traffic mess for hours. There was heavy police presence from District Courts to Chairing Cross.

Earlier, addressing the general house meeting of the LHCBA, PML-N Secretary General Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said Mian Nawaz Sharif had made it clear to his allies that he will join lawyers long march on June 10 if judges were not restored by then.

The minister said Nawaz will sit in the judicial bus and the struggle will continue until dictatorship was eliminated. He said lawyers were fighting against the forces of dictatorship since October 12, 1999 and the PML-N had joined them in their struggle.

Talking about the present stance of PPP leadership on judges’ issue, he said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had once promised that PPP government will hoist the national flag on the residence of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry by reinstating him.

Raja said his party will try Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 for subverting the Constitution and killing innocent peoples, children and lawyers.

He assured lawyers that his party will always support lawyers in their movement for the restoration of ‘deposed’ judges, rule of law and end of dictatorship. Speaking on the occasion, PML-N Ulema Mashaikh Wing President Mian Muhammad Afzal paid tribute to lawyers for launching a movement against dictatorship. He assured lawyers of his party’s complete support.

LHCBA President Anwar Kamal, Secretary Rana Asadullah Khan, former president LHCBA Ahmad Awais, PML-N MNA Naseer Ahmad Bhutta also spoke on the occasion.

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Not just Mushrraf, but every general, politician and judge who was even remotely involved in subverting the constitution going all the way back to Ayoub Khan's era should be put on trial.

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***Talking to Dr Shahid Masood in the Geo TV programme Meray Mutabiq, he said General Musharraf had committed basic mistakes such as the Kargil debacle, surrender to the US threat of pushing Pakistan into the stone age and the Lal Masjid destruction.

***Name just one military dictator who never committed huge blunders. All these PMA graduated illiterates are equally stupid.

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

we are failed to make the looters an example for future looters, and i dont think again we will be able to set an example for any one in the future. so the looters are back again i dont know when the political parties learn the lesson to appoint sincere leaders not the old coins who had their chances many times. and specially not on the basis of clan but ability to lead, sincerity and dignity.

even right now kiyani has enough reasons to take over. i dont think musharraf can be made an example. apart from himself, first the army wouldnt allow it. seconand, we dont have angels themselves in the government who has the spine to do sincere things with the nation, they are there to loot and plunder, revenge and power at any cost.

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

So the ones who ruled over the last 8-9 years werent looters? Btw, Ayub, Yahya, and Zia were made an example of, in their own ways, what makes you think Musharraf is the golden tushy boy who wont be touched.

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Well, if Musharraf was looter, plunderer, thug and corrupt than Pakistan would not have accumulated 16 billion dollar reserves, would not have increased tax collection over 3 times in 8 years and would not have seen debt that did not even increased equal to interest. But that is different matter that crooks in Pakistan who are abundant feel hard to believe that someone could be honest too.

Actually, even Gulzar Kiyani talking everything against Musharraf said in interview that Musharraf believed on promoting 'best amongst best in Pakistan as policy' and that is what direction he gave to Gulzar Kiyani as Chairman of federal public service commission (according to Gulzar Kiyani himself). Plus to reduce corruption and nepotism, Musharraf also put selection of lower grade officers (grade under 17) under FPSC so that best amongst best only come up in Pakistan ... no corruption, no nepotism, no incompetency and no favouritism was allowed ... clear sign that shows sincerity of President Musharraf towards Pakistan and that he was/is not corrupt in any way.

Just look at how things has changed in Punjab once crooks have taken over as everywhere nepotism and favouritism has started and merit has gone out of the window (surprisingly, this has only started happening in Punjab in big way because we have government of Pakistani biggest crooks in Punjab these days).

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Re: Ex-General/Corps Commander for making an example of Musharraf

There has been plenty of evidence of Musharraf's plundering on this forum (ayaashi, learjets, favors, expensive book selling trips abroad, lavish farmhouses, mishandling of quake funds, selling ppl to the west for money, etc etc), you see to conveniently ignore all those. These reserves and credit system orchestrated by Shortcut Parachute (his accomplice cum puppet) dont mean much and arent solid enough to fool people. And before you pin the blame on the new Govt, Shortcut himself (mr I am never wrong) has already blamed the interim Govt for the mess.