The video of the discussion in its entirety, which consists of Aroon Purie’s introductory speech, Musharraf’s keynote speech, and the subsequent extensive Q & A session can be seen here:

Musharraf at the India Today Conclave 2009

All the video clips of Musharraf’s talks and interviews in India can also be accessed here.

The above contains a far more extensive Q & A session compared to the earlier posted transcript.

A more convenient way of listening to Musharraf’s speech and Q & A is by clicking on these links:

Musharraf’s Speech (Video)

Q&A session with Musharraf (Video)

The full transcript of Musharraf’s speech can be read here (together with Purie’s introduction) — The text of the speech by Musharraf can also be read here.

Some interesting points from the the Q & A:

Musharraf claimed that there is far more hostility towards Pakistan in India, even war hysteria, than there is hostility towards India within Pakistan. Musharraf mentioned how there was little or no India bashing during Pakistan’s recent election. I agree with this after following a number of Indian news channels for a while, particularly after the Mumbai terrorist attack. Literally from the first few hours into the Mumbai attack the Indian media began its massive anti-Pakistan propaganda campaign. (The hostility can also be seen in the comments we find on the India Today website. For example, consider Prabhu Chawla’s comments here, where Musharraf is labeled a “sworn enemy.” This is the same Prabhu who complained in his interview with Musharraf as to why the latter referred to India as an “enemy” in his book. Showing his duplicity, Prabhu also boasts about letting Musharraf “expose himself.” See also this, this, and this, for example).

Farooq Abdullah acknowledged that the closest the two countries ever came towards resolving the Kashmir dispute was under Musharraf. He said he really believed that the Kashmir dispute would be sorted out under Musharraf and testified for the former President’s sincerity.

An Indian Muslim, Maulana Mahmood Madani, (Rajya Sabha Member and former General Secretary of Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind) displayed much hostility and rudeness towards Musharraf. It was shameful to see a maulana behaving in this un-Islamic manner, throwing in the bin basic Islamic etiquette. Musharraf, however, hit back with a fitting and sharp reply much to Madani’s annoyance. This can be seen in clip no. 12 in the Q & A session.

I suppose there is more pressure upon Indian Muslims who go out of their way to “prove” their nationalism and support for India.

Near the end, one Irshad Manji asked Musharraf about honor killings. Manji is a lesbian (see “A Muslim calls for reform — and she’s a lesbian“) Canadian feminist, a known Islamophobe hate-monger, and author of the book “The Trouble with Islam” (later renamed: “The Trouble with Islam Today“). Manji claims that the Quran is a “bundle of contradictions” and refers to the supposed “blatant inconsistencies” therein (See Irshad Manji, The Trouble with Islam: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith, 2004, First Edition, St. Martin’s Press, p. 36).

[See also "Irshad Manji on the Qur'an" and "The Trouble with Irshad" by Elvan Zelda Elcin]

Besides advocating homosexuality and arguing that it is not contrary to the Quran (see this for instance) , Manji is also a vocal Israeli propagandist (see M. Junaid Levesque-Alam’s, “Why Liberals Fear Islam: The Only Good Muslim is the Anti-Muslim“).

To quote Levesque Alam:

The Trouble With Islam Today is an unhinged polemic that derides Muslims and demeans their faith.

Musharraf obviously did not know about Manji and expressed his willingness to sit down with her and discuss honor killings etc. I hope someone can inform the President about this character and advice him to stay away from her.

There was a lot of hostility towards Musharraf while the questions were being fired. He was also interrupted at times. But he stood strong, confident and gave clear cut replies and refutations, defending the army and the I.S.I.

Moverover, while Musharraf was eager to discuss core issues of tension such as Kashmir and the emerging water dispute between the two countries, Indians seemed more interested to discuss the alleged presence of Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan (Karachi) and his handover! While for Pakistan the Kashmir dispute and the emerging water dispute are the core issues of real tension between the two countries, it seems to me that the Indians seriously believe that the actual core dispute is Ibrahim and that all will be fine and dandy between the two countries once Pakistan returned Ibrahim to India! Musharraf said that he did not know if Ibrahim was present in Pakistan and rightly continued that even if this was true, tensions between the two countries would persist even after Ibrahim’s handover. The stiff Indian resistance to take into account the whole picture and to discuss the real pressing issues and, instead, to focus on minor peripheral matters, the resolution of which would do nothing much to seriously ease relations between the two countries in the long run, is an indication of the desperation and shoddy nature of the Indian position.

Musharraf’s overarching theme was to press the point that both India and Pakistan had engaged in unfortunate activities in the past to harm each other. He argued we needed to move forward and stop dwelling in the past, constantly accusing each other of past misdeeds. He also strongly pressed the argument that the Pakistan Army and the I.S.I. were not playing any “double game” and were fully committed in fighting terrorism and extremism. Musharraf requested the Indians to stop blaming the Pakistan Army and the I.S.I. and to put an end to their propaganda campaign. Moreover, he also discussed the Indian involvement in terrorist activities in Afghanistan against Pakistan and their support for known terrorist individuals.

See also Musharraf’s short interview clip with Aroon Purie here.

[All the videos of Musharraf's talks and interviews in India can also be seen here]

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© Musharraf Supporters 2009 All rights reserved

I would like to thank Saroor Zaidi (‘Friends of Pakistan‘) for putting together this transcript of the Q & A session between Musharraf and various Indian personalities.

In the words of Saroor, “an amazing confident Musharraf has stood tall and proud, and represented Pakistan to the fullest capacity with dignity and power.”

There is no one in Pakistan who can represent the nation in this brave manner amidst an ocean of hostility. Unlike others, who love to make a statement or two against Pakistan while in India, Musharraf uttered not a word against Pakistan. Instead, he defended Pakistan with all his might in an unapologetic manner. This shows how bigger man Musharraf is than all of our politicians combined.

All Pakistanis, including those who may not agree with his policies, are proud of Musharraf.

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Arun Poorie: You are here as a messenger of peace. What did you do about it in the nine years when you were in power?

Musharraf: 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.

Arun Poorie: What plans do you have about the future?

Musharraf: To me, the core issue is building confidence by greater people-to-people affinity. Once the confidence is there, we should move towards resolving the core issues, and stop meddling with the internal affairs of each other’s country.

Arun Poorie: What do you have to say about what happened on 26/11 in Mumbai?

Musharraf: Let’s stop the war hysteria. Just a day into the investigations, the Pakistani army and the ISI was blamed for it. I am for a considered and matured response to these issues. As far as the investigations are concerned, the Pakistani government should fully cooperate and the guilty should be punished.

Arun Poorie: Are there any terrorist camps in Pakistan?

Musharraf: See we have done damage to each other. I am aware of what the Indian embassy is doing in Jalalabad and Kandahar. A terrorist from Kabul has been received by Indian intelligence agencies in India and looked after. I have documents to show this. Let us stop the blame game. India is a big country. You try to do damage to us, we will do damage to you. We should address the trust deficit between the two countries. The ISI does the same thing as the RAW does. There is no distinction.

Ravi Shankar Prasad: In the face of the present situation, do you see Taliban taking over Pakistan?

Musharraf: Areas in the North West Frontier [Province] where the problem is, account for less then one percent of the population. There is no danger of Taliban taking over Pakistan politically.

Arun Poorie: What specific confidence-building measures do you have for the future?

Musharraf: We need to look at strategic issues. We will have to address the water issue which would develop into a new conflict between the nations. We have to stick to the Indus Valley treaty.

Soli Sorabjee: Will you hand over Dawood Ibrahim to us as a confidence building measure?

Musharraf: This is a small issue. I do not know if he is there. I too have a long list of people that India needs to give us. The role of Indian embassy in Afghanistan in Jalalabad and Kandahar is not good either.

Individuals are a small issue. We need to look at strategic issues. I do not think handing over Dawood will change anything. I know it will not help in easing tensions between the two nations, if that happens then you will have to hand over Dawood back to Pakistan (laughs).

Rahul Kanwal: A conversation of Gen Kayani, the army chief who succeeded you, has been intercepted where he said Taliban is a ‘strategic asset’?

Musharraf: This is a lie. He cannot say that. I challenge them to show me the proof. It is a lie.

Amar Singh: When our (then) PM Vajpayee travelled to Lahore by bus to Lahore for friendship, Kargil happened. Now you say you are for peace?

Musharraf: I would not like to comment on this issue. I have dealt with this matter in my book.

Shekhar Gupta: Compare your years in power with that of Ziaul Haq.

Musharraf: The comparison cannot be done as the situation and ground realities were very different in both times. You must understand that Pakistan is not the perpetuator of terror but a victim of terror in the last 30 years.

Question: How is it to live in Pakistan and not be in charge?

Musharraf: 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.

General VP Malik: What are the chances of the army taking over Pakistan again? How can India help Pakistan in its problems?

Musharraf: It is the internal matter of Pakistan. The political leadership can deal with the situation. I would not like to comment on that. India can help Pakistan by not maligning Pakistani army and the ISI in the world.

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See also:

Musharraf India Interview 2009

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© Musharraf Supporters 2009 All rights reserved

Former President Musharraf’s interview in India can be seen here.

The interview can also be seen here.

Download in FLV Format: 48.6MB
http://v.pakpoint.com/mar09/musharaf_8_mar_09.flv

I strongly suspect that the above is not the full interview; bits and pieces appear to have been left out. Nonetheless, we see Musharraf once again promoting and defending Pakistan’s stance on a number of issues, primarily the Kashmir issue and the problem of extremism/terrorism, in an unapologetic manner.

One issue needs to be clarified. It has been reported that Musharraf allegedly expressed his desire to regain the Presidency of Pakistan in the near future. It comes as no surprise that some people are using this alleged statement to attack Musharraf. After having seen the above interview, I conclude that the former President is being quoted out of context. Towards the end of the interview (clip #6 here or time slice 17:21 – 17:48 here), Musharraf was asked whether or not if after his resignation he again desired to become the President of Pakistan? Musharraf very slightly swayed his head in the negative and said ‘no’ as the interviewer continued speaking. Immediately thereafter a hypothetical scenario was presented to Musharraf: ‘WHAT IF‘ such an offer was made to him (‘agar up ku offer kiya jai‘ and: ‘agar aup ku koi offer karta hai tu‘?)? To this hypothetical question Musharraf replied that he would see what type of an offer it was and IF he could play a role therein (‘no … offer agar koi karta hai tu mey dekhunga agar mey usmey koi role adda karsekta hu‘ and: agar mey role play karsekta hu tu‘). He proceeded to state that he would obviously accept an offer ONLY IF he could play a useful role and that he would not like to be a useless President who did not contribute.

Thus, I do not see what the hoopla is about. He merely said that he would accept an offer only if it allowed him to contribute and play a positive role. Musharraf was speaking in purely hypothetical terms. He did not state as a matter of fact that he wanted or desired to regain the Presidency. Of course, I do hope, wish and pray that Musharraf comes back to power in Pakistan. Pakistan needs him badly. But, for the time being, the former President is being wise in refraining to comment upon Pakistan’s messy politics.

I am after the video clip of the Q & A session in India where the former President had to face a barrage of hostile questions from a variety of Indian personalities. I hope someone can post the link if it has been uploaded somewhere.

The transcript of the Q & A session can be seen here:

Musharraf Q & A Transcript of Delhi Lecture

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© Musharraf Supporters 2009 All rights reserved

On this blog we have collected a number of essays listing the economic achievements of the Musharraf government, arguing that none of the so-called ‘democratic’ regimes of Benazir and Nawaz, even when put together, come remotely close to what Musharraf accomplished for Pakistan’s economy within a decade’s time. These essays can be seen here:

• Musharraf Economic Performance
• [See also the Economic Pakistan blog]

There was a good reason to compile these essays. Opponents of Musharraf have been constantly claiming that Musharraf not only did nothing for Pakistan’s economy, but, in fact, harmed it immensely during his time. These Musharraf opponents belong primarily to the PPPP and PML-N parties and even now they can be seen making such allegations, both in newspapers as well as on various television programmes. Therefore, our aim was to demonstrate the utter falsity of this allegation and to expose these people as bald faced liars.

Finally, at least privately, the current PPPP regime has admitted this! In their ‘Letter of Intent’ to the IMF in a bid to secure a bail-out package of $7.6 billion, the PPPP government relied upon the economic successes and achievements of the Musharraf government as a major point to convince the IMF!

The following excerpts have been extracted from:

Govt appreciates economic policies of Musharraf regime
By Mubarak Zeb Khan
Friday, 16 Jan, 2009

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Khan begins by saying (all emphasis added):

While publicly it criticizes former President Musharraf for the present economic mess, the government in its official documents has appreciated the economic policies of the previous regime that became a strong base for seeking loans from multilateral donors and friends of Pakistan.

So publicly, the government is lying.

Moving on:

The letter of intent (LoI), on the basis of which, Pakistan sought the much-needed $7.6 billion bailout package from the International Monitory Fund (IMF), has bit by bit appreciated the Musharraf policies since 2000.

During the past one decade (1999-2007), the LoI says Pakistan’s economy witnessed a major economic transformation from substantial increase in the volume of gross domestic product (GDP) to greater international trade.

The reason for the above:

An official source requesting not to be named said the economic wizards in the finance ministry are not politicians to make only speeches but they have to look into ground realities. ‘We reported to IMF whatever is factual and based on evidence,’ the official added.

In other words, they cannot afford to tell outright lies to the IMF, while the PPPP politicians can tell lies to the Pakistan public. The economists cannot continue with this tradition of deceit but must stick to the facts in their discussions with the IMF.

As Dr. Salman Shah rightfully pointed out:

Former Finance Minister Dr Salman Shah told this scribe the government has made the 170 million people fool while telling them pack of lies in the past nine months about the economic policies of the Mushrraf regime.

The truth is:

The LoI said the country’s real GDP increased from $60 billion in 2000-01 to $170 billion in 2007-08 with per capital income rising from under $500 to over $1000. During the same period, the volume of international trade increased to nearly $60 billion from $20 billion.

For most of this period, real GDP grew at more than 7 per cent a year with relative price stability. The improved macroeconomic performance enabled Pakistan to re-enter the international capital markets in the mid-2000s. Buoyant output growth, low inflation, and the government’s social policies contributed to a reduction in poverty and an improvement in many social indicators.

Had Pakistan’s economy not grown under Musharraf:

…Pakistan would have to apply for other long term IMF financing facilities like poverty reduction, structural adjustments etc, Shah said adding government should tell truth to the nation if they have confidence.

‘The recruitment made so far for running the finances of this country is very depressing. This shows this government has neither commitment nor capabilities to take the country out of the current crisis,’ Dr Salman said.

The actual cause of the current downfall:

He said the government admitted in the LoI, the current crisis was because of price shocks, global financial turmoil and policy inaction during the political transition to the new government. He blamed the current government for blocking inward movement of $5 billion by suspending privatization of major transactions.

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What the above means is that the PPPP (and the PML-N) has been busy telling lies about the performance of the Musharraf government. Either under Musharraf the economy did well or it did poorly. Both scenarios could not have occurred simultaneously. Either the PPPP officials told blatant lies to the Pakistani public or they told blatant lies to the IMF in their “Letter of Intent.” What we know for sure, however, is that they have been telling lies to at least one of the sides. We will let the PPPP decide in which instance they were lying.

Understandably the ever so grotesque Ishaq Dar (see also this) is still in denial, remaining unrepentant, and insisting he was right when he infamously blurted out that the Pakistan treasury was “empty.”

Let us also bear in mind the immense harm the present ‘democratic’ government has caused to the Pakistani economy in a short span of time, an economy they privately admit was immensely strengthened by the Musharraf government:

• PAKISTAN BACK TO BEGGING under ‘DEMOCRACY’!

Finally, more good news. The “Letter of Intent” can be seen on the IMF website here:

Pakistan: Letter of Intent, Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, and Technical Memorandum of Understanding
November 20, 2008

I end this paper by quoting the relevant sections from the government’s own “Letter of Intent”:

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I. RECENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

1. In the last decade, Pakistan’s economy witnessed a major economic transformation. The country’s real GDP increased from $60 billion in 2000/01 to $170 billion in 2007/08 (fiscal year starts July 1st), with per capita income rising from under $500 to over $1,000. During the same period, the volume of international trade increased from about $20 billion to nearly $60 billion. For most of this period, real GDP grew at more than 7 percent a year with relative price stability. The improved macroeconomic performance enabled Pakistan to re-enter the international capital markets in the mid-2000s. Large capital inflows financed the current account deficit and contributed to an increase in gross official reserves to $14.3 billion (3.8 months of imports) at end-June 2007. Buoyant output growth, low inflation, and the government’s social policies contributed to a reduction in poverty and an improvement in many social indicators.

2. This strong macroeconomic performance resulted from the implementation of a series of important structural reforms. In the early 2000s, with financial support from international financial institutions (IFIs), including the IMF, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, the government expanded the role of markets in the economy, privatized a number of large state-owned enterprises, established market-based regulatory bodies, and took steps to reduce the cost of doing business in Pakistan.

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© Musharraf Supporters 2009 All rights reserved

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, appeared on CNN on 12/02/09 in an interview with Jim Clancy. The interview revolved around the terrorist attack in Mumbai and Pakistan’s role in the subsequent (ongoing) investigation.

Overall the High Commissioner did a fine job in defending Pakistan. He reasoned how Pakistan was a victim of terrorism and emphasised the efforts made by Pakistan to fight terrorism. I definitely do not believe in the policy of opposing someone just because I dislike him and/or his politics. I attempt to give credit where it is due. But I think that the High Commissioner blew it all by making an utterly foolish comment near the close of his interview.

Jim Clancy stated that both India and Afghanistan had routinely pointed fingers at the ISI and accused the agency of facilitating terrorism therein. Clancy proceeded that no ISI official had ever been brought to justice and repeated the age old allegation that Pakistan had been playing a “double game.” What was Wajid Shamsul Hasan’s reply? Here it goes: he responded by saying that the ISI was “no more” involved in this and that it was now “more” subservient to the government!

This logically means that the ISI was involved in terrorism in the past and was not subservient to the government in the past.

I wonder, does this “reply” harm or benefit Pakistan’s national interest? Does it put Pakistan on a stronger footing when it is suggested that in the past the ISI WAS involved in such activities, that it was playing a double game, and that in the past it was NOT subservient to the government, thereby acting on its own accord? How much brain power is required to comprehend the simple fact that such type of a statement hurts Pakistan’s national interest and lowers her credibility?

The High Commissioner could have reasonably argued that mere pointing of fingers does not make someone guilty; that proof and evidence must be submitted. He could have asked Clancy to produce the evidence which supposedly shows the ISI’s alleged involvement in terrorism within India and Afghanistan. He could have denied the allegation of ISI’s “double game.” He could have strongly asserted that the ISI is a professional intelligence agency which does not engage in such activities etc. But he did not do that.

Why should anyone take Pakistan seriously and trust its agencies when the current regime casually admits the ISI’s alleged indulgence in terrorism? Why should anyone now believe the word of the government when it insists that the ISI is “no more” involved in this? If anything, individuals such as Wajid Shamsul Hasan have equipped Pakistan’s enemies with a terrific excuse for not trusting the ISI, the army, and the other security agencies of Pakistan, and for continuously casting doubts upon their intentions.

Recall that Zardari – and I still can’t believe that this guy is the President – made the same disastrous move in one of his early interviews after assuming the office of Presidency. He too endorsed the suggestion that the ISI, under the Musharraf government, had been acting deceitfully and was playing a “double game” all along.

Unfortunately, the Pakistani leadership is the product of a strong culture where petty revenge comes at the expense of national security and interest.

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© Musharraf Supporters 2009 All rights reserved

Recent reports in the western media indicate that Pakistan needs as much as $10 billion to avoid an economic meltdown.

and:

Pakistan’s foreign currency reserves are falling fast and if forward liabilities are included, the real reserves may go down to $3 billion. This cannot meet the import bill of one whole month.

Out of total reserves of $8.467 billion, the reserves held by the commercial banks stood at $3.461 billion on September 23. From September 22, the reserves fell by around $180 million, as there were no receipts while the government made heavy payments for oil and other imports.

This week, Moody’s Investors Service lowered Pakistan’s credit outlook to negative due to the risk of “missed repayments” on the nation’s debt.

Pakistan’s gradual economic decline, which started last year, alarmed the United States and Britain as they feared that financial chaos could allow terrorists to deepen their roots in the country.

To avoid such an eventuality, they decided to launch a new group of donors.

Read more about our dismal state here:

‘Friends’ unveil initiative to avert collapse: Over $15bn needed: media

It is interesting to note that former President Musharraf inherited a far more fledgling Pakistan in 1999, a Pakistan which was on the verge of being declared a terrorist, bankrupt and a failed state. Musharraf inherited a Pakistan which had less than a billion dollars as foreign reserves, with an economy the mere size of $75 billion, and with 65% of our GDP used for debt servicing. Although currently our economy is fast deteriorating due to the incompetency of the new regime (who looted Pakistan in the past), the situation in 1999 was FAR WORSE than what it is now.

And despite not receiving the above level of support and commitment from the international community, Musharraf and his team were still able to deliver, with Pakistan’s situation improving prior to September 11, 2001. For example:

Pakistan’s foreign reserves had risen up to $3.2 billion by September 10 2001. To quote Dr. Ishrat Husain:

“In 1999, the ratio of foreign reserves held by India was 40 times that of Pakistan. By June 2002 this ratio has declined to 8 times while the size of Indian economy is about 6 to 7 times that of Pakistan.”

Dr. Ishrat Husain goes on to say:

“It may be relevant to point out that the biggest quantum jump in our reserves had taken place between July 2000 and June 2001 i.e. well before September 2001. During this one year period the reserves increased by 138 percent to $ 3.1 billion. The rate of increase during July 2001 and June 2002 was 105 percent.”

Consider the improvement of a variety of indicators prior to September 11 2001. We read:

“While acknowledging the salutary impact of the external account improvement, however, it is worth stressing that the trend improvement was visible well before the seminal September 11 events. Interest rates were already on the way down; foreign currency reserves were edging up; the exchange rate was relatively stable; the inflation downtrend was well defined, and the government’s continuing fiscal discipline and commitment to reforms had already set the stage for the IMF PRGF, and the subsequent re-profiling of external debt. Nonetheless, the pre-existing positive trends did gain invaluable momentum in FY02, post-September 11. However, despite these major positives, the economy was not unscathed in FY02.”

Finally, to cite Afreen Baig:

“… let it be clarified that major economic indicators had improved before 9/11, and the economy had already started showing signs of recovery and revival.

In that SHORT span of 2 years BEFORE 9/11, Pakistan’s revenue increased from Rs.308 billion to become Rs.395 billion. Exports increased from $7.5 billion to become $9.2 billion. Foreign Reserves increased from $ 1 billion to become $3.25 billion. Debt servicing as a ratio to Revenue decreased from 65% to 57%. Public and external debt as a percentage to Foreign exchange earnings declined from 300% to 250%. Current account deficit decreased from $2.4 billion to become $510 million. And, Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing grew by 11% in June 2001 against 3.5% in 1998. These facts should set aside the skeptical grumblers.”

It is quite true, however, that after September 11 2001, Pakistan’s economy further flourished. But this did not occur purely on the basis of aid from the international community but due to the wits of the managers of Pakistan at the time.

Consider the current situation. Despite its deterioration, the present economy is still much larger and stronger than the one we had in 1999. And yet the new regime is unable to manage it. They are reduced to the point of begging the international world for aid and donations!

This also reminds us of the sheer hypocrisy and double standard of our media. The Pakistani media played a pivotal role in spreading the lie that whatever economic improvements we witnessed under Musharraf were largely or purely due to the aid which Pakistan received from, say, the U.S. This disinformation was used as an argument against the Musharraf government. And while now we have the new regime OPENLY BEGGING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR AID, the media seems not to be interested to use this as a point of criticism against the PPPP government. Why?

Members of the new regime often claim that they “inherited” a poor economy. But this is an outright lie. Why under Musharraf foreign reserves reached the $17 billion mark? How was the rupee relatively stable under Musharraf? How was the economy increasing at the rate of over 6% annually under Musharraf? How on earth did a mere $75 billion economy more than doubled in less than a decade’s time under Musharraf? Why oh why did Moody give Pakistan a higher rating under Musharraf? Thus, in fact, the new regime inherited the best economy any government in Pakistan has ever inherited. True, things were not 100% fine and dandy, but neither was the situation utterly hopeless. The problems which existed could have been properly managed. Instead, manageable problems quickly became utterly uncontrollable within months after the elections. [For the economic achievements of the Musharraf government, please see the articles here.]

Too much time was wasted on irrelevant issues at the expense of the economy. The economy also suffered immensely when Ishaq Dar, probably the worst Pakistani on the planet, made a series of irresponsible statements about the state of the Pakistan economy after becoming finance minister, as a result of which Moody’s immediately downgraded Pakistan’s ratings and investors began flying out of Pakistan at the speed of light. Ishaq Dar is the same despicable character who played a key role in destroying Pakistan’s economy in the 1990’s under the PML-N government. This time around he caused immense damage to Pakistan through his factually erroneous and irresponsible statements within days of assuming office!

Unfortunately, it appears we are fast going back in time to the 1990’s era, when the PPP and the PML-N destroyed Pakistan’s economy and spent most of their time — besides conducting criminal activities — begging other nations for aid and loans, which they then misused. While I feel sorry about the state of the Pakistan economy, a part of me also feels that the Pakistani people, at least the ones who voted for these monstrous PPPP and PML-N candidates, deserve this. It is not as if these voters knew nothing about the gory past of these parties. We all knew full well how the two parties looted Pakistan in the past and committed wide scale corruption, almost destroying the nation. I am surprised even if a moron expected these ghastly characters to have done something new or different this time around.

You reap what you sow.

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© Musharraf Supporters 2008 All rights reserved

ZARDARI: “You are even more gorgeous than you are on the (inaudible).”

PALIN: “You are so nice. Thank you.”

ZARDARI: “Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you.”

[A Zardari handler tells the two to shake hands again for the cameras.]

PALIN: “I’m supposed to pose again.”

ZARDARI: “If he’s insisting, I might hug.”

The above does not surprise me. You can only expect this buffoonery from a half educated playboy coming from the feudal class, where women are generally treated as sub-human objects.

But, on a lighter note, I think this may undermine the veracity of the rumour according to which there is a thing going on between Zardari and Sherry Rahman. One would have expected Sherry Rahman to have confronted her man when he was so openly hitting on another woman. But this did not occur.

Getting serious again, there is an interesting interview Zardari gave to MSNBC which can be seen here. Certainly he is no confident and intelligent Musharraf who enjoyed teaching such interviewers a lesson through his wit, though Zardari did manage to make it clear that Pakistan is 100% against terrorists, extremists and more than willing to confront them.

Having said this, a few critical observations:

When asked what message he would convey to the U.S. President upon their meeting, Zardari replied he would “first of all I will thank him for democracy” in Pakistan and that this was part of the “promise” made by George Bush to “our part of the world.” At least he’s honest; this so-called ‘democracy’ movement was heavily supported and facilitated by the Americans. Musharraf was quite falsely and deceptively accused of being an American lackey by his opponents belonging to the PPPP, the PML-N and other groups. Yet we have here an open admission of U.S. intervention and assistance by Zardari.

Zardari also said that his government ‘redefined’ the war on extremism/terrorism as “our war.” This is a blatant lie. Musharraf and the previous government had repeatedly said that this war was “our war” and how it was only in our benefit to fight the terrorists and the extremists. Hence to call it “our war” now is no “redefinition” whatsoever. Zardari went on to say that “may be this was somebody else’s war yesterday but today it is our war.” I do not know what this means. How does this ‘logic’ work? Why yesterday this was not “our war” and today it is “our war”? Whence comes this transformation? How does it work?

As if anticipating my question, Zardari proceeded to seemingly present the logic behind his weird comment by referring to the Marriott blast, saying that 80% of the casualties were Pakistanis and not Americans. Therefore, he continued, this is “our war.” Are we to believe that in the terrorist attacks within Pakistan under Musharraf, 80% of the casualties were Americans and not the Pakistanis and, therefore, it was “not our war” during the Musharraf era? There is simply no sense that can be attached to Zardari’s absurd argument.

The interviewer also repeated the infamous lie that Pakistan received “more than $10 billion” (see this and this) aid from the U.S. over the past 7 years under Musharraf, that Americans believed that Pakistan played a “double game” and that Pakistan did not go after al-Qaeda aggressively. One would have expected an honest, sober minded and a decent Pakistani nationalist President to have set the record straight, irrespective of his/her opposition to Musharraf, namely, that 1) Pakistan did not receive “more than $10 billion” from the U.S as aid; 2) Pakistan had been pursuing the militants aggressively for quite some time. But then again, only a decent, sober minded Pakistani nationalist would have replied as such. Zardari is not such a guy. Zardari gleefully agreed with the interviewer’s distortions, without bothering to ponder over the resultant inevitable negative impression this dishonest reply conveys of Pakistan as an ally to an outsider.

Zardari proceeded to assert that former President Musharraf was allegedly ‘ill-advised‘, ‘short sighted‘ and “not suited for the job.” Me thinks Zardari is looking in the mirror.

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© Musharraf Supporters 2008 All rights reserved

August 18th 2008 is one of the saddest days of my life and for, no doubt, so many other people who love Pakistan. Pervez Musharraf was the best thing that had ever happened to Pakistan in decades. This honest man managed Pakistan with utmost dedication, humbleness and, through his hard work, managed to transform Pakistan’s bankrupt economy into a booming and resilient economy. The economy the size of a mere $75 billion in 1999 more than doubled in less than a decade under Musharraf. In 1999 ours was a debt ridden country with around 65% of our GDP used for debt servicing. Before September 11 2001 this figure had reduced to around 55% and, thereafter, it went down to 25%, which is a perfectly acceptable level. Our economy grew consistently at the rate of over 6% annually, having become a booming economy. In 1999 our foreign reserves were a mere $700 million, whereas by 2007 they had increased to $16.4 billion. Investment was pouring into Pakistan for the first time at a fast pace. Consider the fact that in 1999 Pakistan’s foreign investment was around $300 million whereas by 2007 they had increased to around $8.4 billion. The Karachi Stock Market rose from 700 points to reach around 16, 000 points. The National revenues of Pakistan were around RS. 300 billion in 1988-1999 period and increased massively to around 1 trillion in 2007. Likewise, public sector development stood at a dismal RS. 80 billion in 1999 and increased to around RS. 520 billion in 2007. Overall, Musharraf and his team had transformed Pakistan into the 3rd fastest growing economy after those of China and India’s in 2006, being the 3rd best in banking profitability in the world, with construction activity an all time 17 years high and large scale manufacturing 30 years high.

Consider other achievements. Under Musharraf the Mirani, Subakzai and Gomalzam Dams were constructed and Mangla dam was raised, thereby doubling its capacity. Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the dry port in the border town of Sust in 2004 and work began on the constructions of canals (Katchi, Thal, Raini canals). A number of motorways have either been completed or are under construction (e.g. M1, M3, M8, M10, M11) and the same goes for a number of highways (N5, N-25, N-35, N-45, N-50, N-55, N-65, N-70, N-75, N-80, S-1, etc.). Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the Makran Coastal Highway (N-10) project in August 2001, consisting of Karachi-Gwadar, Pasni-Gwadar, and Ormara-Liari (Balochistan) Highways. The Sialkot International Airport was completed in 2007 and work began on the Ghandara International Airport (Islamabad), which is set to be completed by Dec. 2010. Gawadar Mega seaport was constructed under Musharraf and, by 2005-2006, 49 public universities were operating in Pakistan (in 1999 we had 31 public universities).

Consider briefly Pakistan’s defence: our defence exports crossed the $200 million mark for the first time in 2006 and Pakistan underwent large-scale nuclear expansion. The safety of our nuclear assets was ensured through the implementation of an excellent command and control regime overseeing them. Our armed forces, the air force and the navy were equipped with the required modern weaponry throughout Musharraf’s term in office. One example, in 2007 Pakistan Navy Ship Zarrar, the first of Multi-Role Tactical Platform (MRTP-33), was commissioned into Pakistan Navy at a ceremony at PN Dockyard.

The above are just a few of the achievements of the Musharraf government which come to mind. For more details and references for the above, please see the links at the end of this message.

How did we repay Musharraf? By voting for known liars and corrupt individuals who looted Pakistan every time they attained power to such an extent that Pakistan had almost become a failed state and a bankrupt country. The goon of our times, Nawaz Sharif, did all he could to destroy Pakistan through large-scale corruption every time he came to power. The late Benazir Bhutto did the same. What the hell is wrong with us? Were we expecting these chors and luchakas, criminals, rascals, scums of earth, the lowest of the low and scoundrels to have done something different for the fifth time? Four times previously they did nothing but corruption and presided over South East Asia’s worst governments. Were we really expecting these people to have changed their ways? Did our people really believe that bastards like Zardari and Nawaz, who have fed their children with the fruits of corruption, would have done something good for the country this time around? How many times does a man need to make a mess of things before your thick head gets it that he will quite likely make the same mistakes again, therefore, best not to give him the same responsibilities again? Are our eyes so blind? Yes, I am saying that there is a serious moral and ethical problem with MANY of our people. You can be illiterate and still know the difference between right and wrong, haram and halal. It appears that many of our people, particularly the ones who voted for the PPPP and PML-N, have lost their ethics somewhere down the line.

Imagine the unbelievable situation: known liars, looters and robbers, such as Zardari and N. Sharif, have ganged up to take revenge against an innocent, decent and humble man, Pervez Musharraf. That N. Sharif and Zardari are corrupt individuals who looted the nation is an incontrovertible fact. This is not a mere allegation. Pervez Musharraf, on the other hand, is neither a filthy rich nor a poor man. He comes from the middle-class and he still belongs to the middle-class, upper middle-class to be precise. We know of no corruption charges levelled upon him personally. Even foes acknowledge that Pervez Musharraf is completely corruption-free. Therefore, we have unchallengeable criminals and scoundrels who are now preparing a silly “charge-sheet” against a universally acknowledged honest man! Only in Pakistan can we have criminals pointing their fingers upon an innocent man and trying their best to harm him! How dare they do this even if, for arguments, their charges were accurate given the fact they broke all corruption records in the past? A criminal has no right to put on trial another criminal! And who will do the trial of these known crooks? How dare they point finger towards anyone else?

Nawaz Sharif is large and fat physically, but he is a very small man mentally. N. Sharif tried to kill Musharraf and even hand him over to Pakistan’s arch enemy, India. This was high treason by N. Sharif for which he was rightfully found guilty and convicted by the Pakistan courts. Pervez Musharraf would have been absolutely justified in demanding N. Sharif’s execution. I so wish he had demanded it. But he didn’t. Musharraf forgave N. Sharif immediately and did not seek revenge. Later, upon the request of N. Sharif’s family and their desperate appeal to the Saudi royal family, Pervez Musharraf immediately allowed N. Sharif and his family to go to Saudi Arabia and live there in unimaginable luxury and comfort. The only restriction placed upon them was that they could not participate in Pakistani politics and enter Pakistan. When N. Sharif’s “abba jee” passed away, Pervez Musharraf offered his condolences to the Sharif family personally over the phone and allowed them to enter Pakistan for the burial proceedings. Pervez Musharraf continued to grant the Sharif family access to Pakistan from time to time on various occasions, such as weddings etc. Later, when N. Sharif’s son fell ill in London, Pervez Musharraf permitted him to go to London to be with his son. So then, despite N. Sharif’s unpardonable crime of treason and the destruction of the Pakistan economy, Pervez Musharraf always remained lenient towards him. This shows the greatness of Pervez Musharraf. In sharp contrast, N. Sharif is a small man with the mindset of a disturbed child and too much arrogance stuck up his high nose (my shoe would have looked better shoved up his nose). He has nothing more than sweet petty revenge on his mind and pure blood in front of his eyes. N. Sharif is such a good Muslim that he knows nothing about forgiving, forgetting and moving on. He cannot bring himself to forgive even though he is the one who was at fault right from the outset. The country does not matter to N. Sharif. His petty revenge and vendetta comes first … all else is secondary. So then, N. Sharif, being the small petty man that he has proved himself to be, will never rest in peace unless and until he achieves his revenge even if it harms the nation immensely.

Pervez Musharraf on a number of times invited everyone, including his opponents, to sit with him on a table, to forget the past, and to work together for the benefit and interest of Pakistan. He even brought about the NRO as a move towards reconciliation. The first ones to reject Pervez Musharraf’s offer, though immediately benefitting from the NRO, were these self-proclaimed “democrats”: N. Sharif and Zardari aka 10%. Is this democracy? Nay, is this even Islam? Islam teaches that if your fellow Muslim offers you a hand in peace, then you MUST accept it and CEASE ALL HOSTILITIES immediately. In fact, even if your non-Muslim enemy offers you a peace offering, then you are obligated to accept it. So by rejecting Pervez Musharraf’s repeated peace offers, not only did these looters, losers and corrupters expose the sham nature of their “democracy” rantings, they also demonstrated how far removed from Islam they truly are.

How on earth can we accept these evil people to bring about democracy in Pakistan when there is no democracy within their parties? Their parties are family properties and this is the way they also envisage running Pakistan.

After today, I hope and pray that Nawaz Sharif and Zardari break all records of looting Pakistan this time around. We deserve it. Since we voted for these confirmed looters, then let them do what they do best: loot. We do not deserve to have good, decent, sober-minded and intelligent rulers such as Pervez Musharraf, for whom only Pakistan comes first. No, we deserve the Sharifs, the Zardaris, the Walis, the Qazis and every other incompetent dimwit and duffer we can think of. You name the idiot and we deserve him/her.

I pray that Allah Subhana Watala punishes and humiliates Nawaz Sharif, Shabaz Sharif, Zardari, Bilawal Zardari, Asfandaryar Wali, Qazi Husain, the liar Ahsan Iqbal, the weird Sherry Rahman and Fazal urRahman (and all other associated crooks) in this world and also punishes and humiliates them in the hereafter, burning them in the fire whose fuel is men and stones. I pray that Allah always protects Pervez Musharraf, his family, friends and all loved ones, grants them courage and patience and make it possible for them to live in peace and normality in Pakistan or wherever they wish to reside. Ameen.

Always your supporters…

Pervez Musharraf hameesha paindabad!

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For a list of Musharraf’s achievements, see:

1. Musharraf Era: Ushers in Multi-Nationals Corporations & booms Private sector Business

2. Musharraf Era performance: Pakistan Flourishes

3. Under Musharraf

4. ECONOMIC GROWTH IN PAKISTAN

5. Pakistan’s economy…

6. Pakistan’s Economic success: Mercy of 9/11 or Macro-economic Policies?

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© Musharraf Supporters 2008 All rights reserved

[Update: Unfortunately this rally had to be cancelled since the new government, particularly in Sindh, was not really eager and willing to provide the required level of security. Furthermore, the organisers were viciously harassed and threatened throughout. At least one young rally organiser was forced to change his address upon receiving numerous threats. Our new “democrats” (demon-crats) are so fully intoxicated with the spirit of ‘democracy’ that they feel they must do all they can to silence the expression of a differing viewpoint. We are witnessing hypocrisy at a massive scale here]

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A peaceful rally in support of President Pervez Musharraf will take place in Karachi and Islamabad in July. People from all walks of life are invited to participate in this pro-Pakistan and pro-Musharraf rally. Pakistan Zinddaaaaaa baad!! MUSHARRAF ZINDABAD!

Date & time:

Karachi – July 12, 2008
Islamabad – July 12, 2008

Timings: 4:00pm – 7:00pm

please call your Group Leader for confirmation

To Participate in the rally Please contact these Group Leaders for detailed info:

Group Leader for Sindh, Karachi: Basim Ahmed : 03222443153
Group Leader for Punjab, Islamabad: Ali Farooq : 03214999937

Contact the above group leaders if you would also like to volunteer and assist them with the various tasks.

Atiqa Odho will be joining the organisers in helping to promote this rally on different talk shows etc.

You can also join this facebook group entitled: PEACEFUL RALLY IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF

The aim of this paper is to list of some of the major recent investment deals which have occurred in Pakistan, projects already underway, investments which will take place in the near future, and to show that the private sector business of the country is witnessing unprecedented growth.

With three exceptions, all references have been submitted at the end of the essay.

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Musharraf Era: Ushers in Multi-Nationals Corporations & booms Private sector Business

Mirza Rohail Baig

An effective and successful manager manages his company with whatever resources he/she has, and manages to gear it towards an unprecedented growth and prosperity, utilizing all internal and external factors. Musharraf has proven himself to be the manager for Pakistan!

Multi-National Corporations (MNC’s) provide excellent job opportunities, bringing in the required capital, latest technology, developed human resources, management, quality and safety standards.

1. Dubai Ports World announced on 1 June 2006 that it will spend $10 billion to develop real estate, infrastructure and transport in Pakistan.

2. Emaar Properties announced on 31st May 2006 three real estates developments in the cities of Islamabad and Karachi. The projects, with a total investment of $2.4 billion, will include developing commercial and residential property.

3. Emaar Properties also signed an unprecedented $43 billion deal to develop two Island resorts – Bundal Island and Buddo Island – over the decade.

4. International Petroleum Investment Co., owned by the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, has received approval from Pakistan’s government to build a $5 billion Oil refinery at Hub in Baluchistan. The refinery, which will be Pakistan’s biggest, will have the capacity to process 300,000 barrels of oil a day.

5. 2006: The government is all set to establish an ‘Oil city’ with an investment of $40 billion at Gwadar Port to make it the biggest crude and refined oil storage base in the region. The government has allotted 12,500 acres of land in Gwadar. The Chinese Petroleum Chamber would come up with $12.5 billion investment plan for the project.

6. Canadian Oil & Gas Company signed a $200 million project with Pakistan that would generate 50,000 direct jobs in Sindh. It will explore, develop, produce and commercialize Coal Bed Methane (CBM) in Pakistan up-to 70,000 barrels a day for about 20 years.

7. July 2006: The Government awarded three blocks in the country’s offshore Indus Delta to British Petroleum Pakistan. BP Pakistan (formerly known as Union Texas Pakistan) will explore gas blocks U, V and W, covering an area of 21,000 square km, for oil and gas reserves.

8. Dubai’s foreign investment in Pakistan’s capital markets recorded significant growth in 2006 and more than doubled to Dh1.278 billion ($351.5 million) by June 30th of this year. It stood at Dh554.9 million last year.

9. The KESC has awarded the contract for Phase-I of the 220 MW Power plant to METKA, EPC contractor, a Greek Company of international repute, whereas Phase-II for 565 MW is under process, it has been reliably learnt. The EPC cost of the project is around $186 million including approximately 11 million dollars for chiller equipment.

10. Sept 26: Am Power Company, a Kuwait-based company, intends to build 225MW combined cycle Power project located at the Sundar Industrial Estate at an estimated cost of $200 million.

11. The credit of building the Chashma-2 goes to the Musharraf Government. PM Shaukat Aziz launched work on the billion dollars 325-megawatt plant in Chashma, which is the second to be built at the site with Chinese help. The cost of Chashma-2 is around Rs 51 billion, which also includes Rs20.1 billion foreign exchange component.

12. In the much-awaited, but positive development, WAPDA has finalized a Chinese consortium, China Gezhouba (group) Co Ltd China and CMEC, China (CGGC-CMEC), for the construction of strategically the most important project: 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower. Cost of Construction is above $1.8 billion.

13. French Renault is establishing a 40-million-euro assembling plant of Renault Logan cars in the country, with the production capacity of 15,000 automobiles per year. This project would attract 40 million euros’ investment and create 600 job opportunities.

14. The automobile industry in Pakistan has made remarkable progress during the last few years. Despite low indigenous base, it has attracted almost Rs100 billion investments. Rs 52 billion has come in direct manufacturing and Rs 35 billon in ancillary industry.

15. Pakistan Suzuki, a leading automobile company, has achieved exports worth $957 million during the last financial year 2005-06, which has been considered by the government as an encouraging sign.

16. The Motorcycle industry in the country is progressing as well since the manufacturing of motorcycles has touched the Rs.0.7 million mark in financial year 2005-06. Crankcase is manufactured mainly by only two companies but their production capacity is approx 6,000 sets per month.

17. Honda Atlas Cars held a Manufacturing Capacity Expansion ceremony of its auto plant. HACPL will increase annual production capacity will be doubled from the current 25,000 units to 50,000 units by the end of 2006. Total investment around Rs1.67 billion.

18. A Manchester (UK) firm called Drillcorer has just moved production of its drills to Pakistan. The result is that it can now sell them for £15,000 rather than the £65,000 it would have had to charge if they were produced in Britain.

19. 2005: Brunei government is financing the US$2.6 million training “Institute for Pakistan Foreign Service”. Under construction.

20. WASHINGTON: Pakistan ranked first among all developing world recipients in the value of Arms transfer agreements in 2006, concluding $5.1 billion in such agreements.

21. 2-12-07: Cement sales by Pakistani manufacturers to local and foreign buyers is expected to have reached 11.848 million tonnes during the first five months (July-November). Exports are expected to grow by 155% year-on-year to 2.531 million tonnes for the five-month period.

22. Pakistan’s Financial Sector is witnessing robust growth in Islamic banking. Two fully-fledged Islamic banks — one local and one foreign-based — have opened 23 branches recently. Bank Islami will be the 3rd Bank. The 4th Dubai Islamic Bank would open around 70 branches. Saudi Arabia would open the 5th Islamic Bank soon.

23. Takaful Pakistan Limited would soon commence operational activities in the country with an initial paid-up capital of Rs200 million and an authorized capital of Rs 300 million. Takaful is a system of Islamic insurance.

24. 14-6-07: Standard Chartered Bank of Pakistan (SCBP) has made a mega investment of Rs 30 billion to grow in a significant way in Pakistan.

25. Pakistan’s leading Edible Oil buyers are establishing 4 new refineries, officials in the industry said. Most of the refineries will be operational by the end of 2007 and they will double Pakistan’s CPO refining capacity of 2,025 tonnes per day.

26. 26-1-07: Canadian Wireless systems developer TenXc Wireless Inc. is partnering with Pakistani company Coherent Designs Pvt. to establish a joint development centre for wireless products in Pakistan’s capital. Global WiMAX market was worth $1.1 billion in 2006 and is expected to grow to $3.3 billion by 2009.

27. The Minister inaugurated ceremony of a software technology park. The high-tech IT park has been set up at Rawalpindi by a leading US IT company MTBC to start its business operations in Pakistan.

28. Capital Investment Overseas, an Abu Dhabi based company, will build a five-star hotel in Lahore, with an estimated investment of Rs20 billion (Dh1.25 billion). The construction of the 602 room hotel will be completed by the year 2011.

29. Saudi-Kuwaiti joint venture, Mid Roc Tussonia Ltd, will invest $3 billion to $4 billion in the next seven years in power generation, refining and real estate sectors in Pakistan. This was stated by the president of the Mid Roc Group, Sheikh Humoud Al-Sabah, at the launching of the joint venture here. Sabah said that his company would set up two wind power generation plants at Mirpur Sakro at a cost of $200 million. 2,500 acres of land has been acquired for this purpose. They will also establish a lube-based oil refinery at Port Qasim, over 500 acres of land, at a cost of $1.5 billion.

30. Tata Motors, India’s largest automobile firm, announced its entry in Pakistan through its subsidiary, Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co, with the commissioning of a new truck and bus assembly unit in Karachi. The plant has a capacity to produce 3,000 vehicles.

Similar essays and entries commenting upon the economic growth of Pakistan:

• Musharraf Era performance: Pakistan Flourishes
• Under Musharraf
• ECONOMIC GROWTH IN PAKISTAN
• Post-Musharraf scenario please . . .