I am sure many of ATP readers will be surprised to see this photograph in which former President Musharraf is saluting his most vocal critic Imran Khan.
Before you jump onto conclusions, let me tell you that this photograph is said to be taken during a fund raising event doe the Shaukat Khannum Memorial Hospital sometime in 2000-01. It was the time when Imran Khan’s PTI supported Musharraf and he was a reportedly hot favorite candidate for Prime Ministership.
Do you think the photograph is real? Imran Khan actually mentioned this one in many of his speeches in US recently. Watch the part of his speech after 4 minutes and 50 seconds in a video here. And if it is, what does it tell us about Gen. Musharraf. Or about Imran Khan.
I do not think that I am the only who who has been quite stunned by the near-total radio silence from Gen. Pervez Musharraf since he was forced out of the President’s office.
Of course, one realizes that he has probably been advised - maybe ‘told’ - to keep a low profile by the military itself. Possibly, that was part of the unstated ‘deal’ that led to his resignation. Moreover, one must confess, that given all the passions he can still ignite amongst his detractors as well as his supporters, it is probably a good think that he has kept a low profile. Pakistan is already too traumatic a place. There is already “too much news” in Pakistan as it is. A little quiet from the Pervez Musharraf front is, therefore, probably good for the general and good for Pakistan too.
But that being as it is, one is quite surprised at the silence nonetheless. Silence is certainly not characteristic of the man. And he obviously has a lot that he could say, especially given all the events since his departure. That he has kept his restrain - or been made to keep his restrain - is, therefore, certainly surprising and possibly admirable.
Except, that it seems that he has finally broken the silence - but only briefly and most cautiously. One hears that he will also soon start saying more - on the international lecture circuit. Whether one agrees with him or not, it will no doubt be worth a listen.
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22/09/08 NEW YORK: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived here Monday to lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 63rd session of United Nations General Assembly. Besides addressing the world top forum.
The President is scheduled to meet leaders from a number of countries including President Bush, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China, President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad of Iran, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, President of Turkey Abdullah Gul, President of Brazil Luiz Ino Lula da Silva Afghan President Hamid Karzai and South Korean Prime Minister.
Arrangement for his meeting with US presidential candidate John McCain is yet to be finalised. Zardari is also expected to talk to Democratic presidential candidate Barrack Obama on phone to discuss the situation in Pakistan’s tribal areas and Afghanistan.
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ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on the President Mr. Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e- Sadr this evening. Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani was also present.
Private TV channel reports that the troika discussed such important matters of national and international interest, like war against terrorism, tribal areas’ crisis, and situation arising out of current threats to National security and integrity from the current aggressive American attitude. It was agreed on principles that Pakistan’s territorial integrity took precedence over all other matters, and there would be no compromise over National integrity and Pakistan would assure that only its forces conducted any operation against elements operating within its borders. There was a consensus over the fact that Pakistan’s military and civilian government had the similar agenda over the issue. Sources have revealed that President’s recent forthcoming visit to America and his expected meeting with Indian PM, Manmohan Singh and Afghan president Hamid Karzai also came under discussion. Later on the President hosted Iftar in honour of the Prime Minister and the Army Chief.
These pictures need no commentary. Click on pictures to link to related posts.
09/09/08 ISLAMABAD :Newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari was set to be sworn in to office on Tuesday.Zardari secured a large win in a poll among lawmakers on Saturday and will become the 14th president. The inauguration will take place in a closely-guarded ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr (President House) in Islamabad around 1pm (0700 GMT), officials told AFP.The Afghan president Hamid Karzai will attend the event, in which chief justice Abdul Hameed Dogar will administer the oath as government leaders, military top brass, judges, diplomats and high-ranking civil servants look on. A guard of honour comprising the three armed forces will then welcome Zardari on the lawn of the presidential palace, completing a spectacle expected to be broadcast live to the nation.
“It is a very significant day in the history of country and it is the victory of the people and the mission of Benazir Bhutto shaheed (martyr),” said Farzana Raja, an MP and senior Zardari aide ahead of the ceremony.
Security around President House, which is situated in the already high-security zone of Islamabad, has been further fortified ahead of the inauguration, officials said.Zardari will speak to reporters later Tuesday and is expected to outline his vision for Pakistan, including his plans to counter extremism and turn around an economy beset by rampant inflation and a plunging stock market. As co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Zardari already heads a fragile coalition government which, although still in office, recently lost the backing of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s party. As president, Zardari gains the right to dismiss governments and appoint leaders of the military, which has ruled Pakistan for half of its 61-year existence.
08/09/08 ISLAMABAD: After nearly 32 days two leaders of main political parties Presidents elect Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif will meet today in Islamabad. The official purpose is to exchange greetings.PML-N delegation will go to Islamabad to congratulate President Elect Asif Ali Zardari which would be the first meeting between two leaders since August 7, when they had signed an agreement for restoring judges.
According to sources, Nawaz Shrif will be accompanied by PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, General Secretary Iqbal Zafar Jhagar and Acting Parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.President elect Asif Zardari has already invited PML-N chief to attend oath-taking ceremony.
PML-N chief will leave for Lonon on Tuesday to meet his ailing wife who is going through a treatment in London.Although meeting between two leaders seem to be a formal however political circles say both leaders cannot ignore judges issues since PML-N chief determine to restore remaining judges.Political circles says some ice has broken between two leaders since PML-N left coalition and contested against Asif Zardari in the Presidential elections.
Asif Ali Zardari becomes the President of Pakistan today after winning the presidential election. He secured 479 votes out of 702. His opponents, Retired Chief Justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui received 153 elctoral votes and Senator Mushahid Hussein received 43. Asif’s victory in three provinces is overwhelming, especially in Sindh where his opposing candidates couldn’t get a single vote. Only in Punjab Assembly Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqi is able to get more votes than Asif.The vote by the two houses of parliament and four provincial assemblies forms the 1,170-member, but 702-vote, electoral college. According to a Dawn update:
‘Asif Ali Zardari secured 281 votes out of the 426 valid votes polled in the parliament,’ chief election commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq said. He has secured 458 out of 702 electoral college votes, according to partial Election Commission results.
Asif Zardari is the 13th President of Pakistan. The ones who have been President before him include: Iskandar Mirza, Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, Zia-ul-Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Waseem Sajjad, Farooq Laghari, Waseem Sajjad, Rafiq Tarar and Pervaiz Musharraf. Waseem Sajjad has twice been the President of Pakistan.
