It was very interesting to watch the interview of General Pervez Musharraf with Mr. Talat Hussain on a private T.V Channel. Mr. Talat Hussain deserves all the appreciation for asking the General difficult and unpleasant questions.

When asked about the humorous pertaining to the outser of Mr. Jamali, the General did not make a straight forward reply. It was surprising the way he left the question vague generating further spectaculations. Perhaps he is the only President in the world who is so confuse that he try to destabilized his own government. I was reminded of a famous saying that “fools have no horns.”

When asked about any pressure on him from U.S.A he flatly refused to acknowledge it except once when Twin Towers in New York destroyed. The way General try to put even this is sufficiently confusing because a book namely “Bush at War” written by An Aide of President Bush has already been publish in which it is clearly expressed with a lot of surprises, the way General Musharraf immediately gave in. The General very conveniently forgot that while addressing a congregation of a religious scholar, he went to the extent to say that if we do not tackle terrorist in the tribal belt. We might be even bombarded. May I ask why he said this at that time? Was he not under any pressure? If you say so then why are you headwin the people now.

I understand that General Zini of the U.S.A. has recently published a book. Some of the excerpts have appear in the Pakistani newspapers of 4th June 2004. Wherein it has been said in so many clear words that Mian Nawaz Sharif was hesitant to withdraw from Kargil. According to this book or General Zini it is General Pervez Musharraf who persuaded the Prime Minister to withdraw. In view of this evidence the whole case of General Musharraf against Nawaz Sharif falls down because it is this issue which was exploited very cleverly by the rambling General against Nawaz Sharif. Now may I ask General Musharraf as why he call dishonour to the nation by behaving so. I am surprised, he still has a cheek to tell a total white lie on the private channel. By saying that he has never been under pressure from U.S.A.

What about the nuclear programme of Pakistan. May I ask General Pervez Musharraf why he melt before the U.S.A and put even a national hero behind bars. I wish the General would not have gone to this extent by telling a blatant lie to the question of Mr. Talat Hussain.

On a question of even saturating Law and Order he make many text books explanation about deadly a asault on him. He never made a single reply. Instead he was throughout beating the bush. He did not divulge any thing specific. Instead he was talking about the mastermind, the planners and the actual executions. What he was saying most probably. He has learnt this during his training at Pakistan Army Training Academy Kakool.

About the political scenario General appear to be totally confused. What he was talking from the top position of President of Pakistan. It was really surprising when I heard him talking of a powerful center of authority to keep the different politicians inline. Does the General thinks that these politicians are goats and sheeps that they need to be kept in line by horseman. He was very proud of the fact that he was trying to unify the various political elements in the name of United Muslim League. I must say while saying this he should strange navity about political matters. It appears that the General in his simplicity thinks that perhaps he can drive this hoard with his “Danda” (Stick).

He showed no respect or understanding of the seventeenth amendment. Perhaps he has most conveniently forgotten that now he is bound by the limits of the constitution. Sticking or not sticking to the package with the MMA is not possible at his sweet will. It has to be a dear to. If he violates the constitution he will be in the foe. It is no more his discretion and his meaningless rambling about the timing and the interest of Pakistan he is no more relevant. He cannot play with the constitution always unnecessary.

As far as his observation about backing out twice by the MMA is no way justify the General to violate the constitution. These are political matters and General appears to be absolutely naïve about the interplay of political forces

The General was asked a question by Mr. Talat Hussain as to who had given him the authority to keep Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif out of politics. I could see that here he was awkward and to start repeating the old baseless allegations against both the leaders. Question about the MQM the General was eloquent in the defence by saying that they had boycotted the local bodies elections. Perhaps the general was try to hit the Nazim Karachi and the same to cover-up the misdeeds of the MQM during recent elections.

The overall impression that I got from his interview, the General is trying to catch an every straw to keep himself in power while politically threatened. He does not know the political game and was trying through out to communicate like trapped Bhutto that his chair is strong. Such like utterances show his desperation. Instead of consolidating the system of his own creation, he is trying to destabilize it. Perhaps all the Generals in Pakistan behave the same way where he is caught in as difficult situation. Earlier General Zia-ul-Haq admitted the similar blunder by dismissing Mohammad Khan Junejo. When General Pervez Musharraf was speaking I was always reminded of foolish act of General Zia-ul-Haq. I would like to advise General Pervez Musharraf to desist from such devious tactics. Instead he should be straight forward. Seventeenth constitutional amendment has already given more than enough authority. He should not try to hedge behind his uniform. Now his authority no more lyies in uniform. Infact lying in following the constitution. One misstep and he would be gone.

(Sardar Muhammad Chaudhary)
07-06-2004