Musharraf announces to contest from Chitral

Chitral -- Former President Gen Pervez Musharraf has announced that he would be contesting the forthcoming elections from Chitral. He said he was grateful to Shahzada Muhiuddin and his son Shahzada Pervez for inviting him to do so and that he has accepted the invitation. He said he was the one who had given Lowari Tunnel to Chitralis. He was telephonically addressing APML public meeting held at mazar-e-quaid Karachi. --CN report, 08 Jan 2012

Comment 1

I watched Mr. Musharraf, on TV, making above mentioned announcement and it was very good to hear that he was going to contest elections in our district. Mr. Musharaf has undoubtedly served the valley and shown exemplary sincerity and kindness. One can say that he used public money for the uplift of Chitral. But after his departure the same public money was diverted. Chitral was considered home constituency of Musharaf well before his exit within NHA officials. I know many insiders of NHA and those who worked in Lowari Project. They are of the view that Musharaf was literally sincere towards Chitral. Let's pray for his security first as the former general will not be welcomed by a number of sections and its feared that another high-profile assassination is in the offing. But what come may Chitralis have many reasons to support him. -- Ejaz Ahmed, Islamabad 09 Jan 2012

Comment 2

The architect of the notorious NRO considers himself to be honest. What a joke. One time he was so unpopular he had to run away leaving this country to Zardari. We need a person who can be a role model for others and whom our young generation can look up to. We need someone like Imran Khan.  -- Fawad Ali Shah, Islamabad, 09 Jan 2012

Comment 3

Pervez Musharaf is the hero of Chitral, It is a great news for all of us as a Chitrali People, After Shaheed Zufiqar Ali Butto, Pervez Musharaf is the only leader who gave Chitral Recognition as a Pakistani.  If he will contest the election from Chitral it will be our fortune and we need to make an example “how we are behaving our Heroes” I would like to request the youths of Chitral to play their role. Perveaz Musharaf Zendabad, Pakistan Payendabad. -- Sharif-Uddin, Monrovia Liberia 10 Jan 2012

Comment 4

Musharraf is the best leader for Chitral. Although the country conditions didn't allow him to be a good president but he is the man who cares about Chitral. We should welcome him warmly into our land for leadership. It is right that Imran Khan is great but Musharaf has talked to more political people than Imran Khan has bowled to batsmen. -- Abdul Wahid Khan, Wisconsin USA 10 Jan  2012

Comment 5

Here are the few achievements of Pervez Musharraf :-
Imposition of Martial Law, Kargil, So called war against Terror, Murder of Akbar Bugti, Missing persons and Conspiracies in Balochistan, Killings in Lal Masjid, Attacks on Judiciary, May 12 Karachi killings, NRO deal -- Altaf ur Rehman, Islamabad 10 Jan  2012

Comment 6

There is no doubt that Pervaz Musharraf did great job for Chitral by starting work on Lawari Tunnel project. Every Chitrali is grateful to Musharraf for the landmark project. The issue which will irritate most of Chitralis is the statement the ‘sitting MNA and his son invited him to contest election from Chitral. Because they (MNA & Son) have no contribution in the project, rather the MNA was against the project of Lawari tunnel. It is evident from the fact that as soon as he became MNA and extended his support of PPP led government the project started facing difficulties and finally the contract stood terminated and the contractor demobilized from the site. Another fact is that he remained silent when the Communication minister of Nawaz Sharief government Raja Nader Pervaze declared Lawari tunnel “unfeasible project” on the floor of National Assembly and ordered to shelve the studies. That time Shahzada Sahab was MNA of ruling party and did not protest. It shows how sincere he has been to the project of Lawari Tunnel.
Secondly MNA is not the representative of all Chitralis, he secured votes less than half of total casted votes. He is in the parliament but he has no right give the impression that Chitralis are at his disposal as moveable property. They are the people of Chitral who will have to decide by their vote.
Unfortunately Musharaf may not be able to win election if he comes on the shoulders of Time Tested “ Leaders of Chitral” . He must speak to the people of Chitral directly instead of hiring the services of others. I hope Musharraf will rethink and adopt appropriate policy to consolidate the support of Chitralis who have great admiration and regard for him. Good luck for Musharraf -- Zakir Hussain of Koghuzi, Abu Dhabi UAE 10 Jan 2012

Comment 7

The people of Chitral are educated and know what is good and what is bad. They are fully mature to identify the best and suitable contestant for the coming general elections. Every person has the right to comment on some one in a constructive and positive manner not to exploit his/her dignity and self respect. If we think beyond our affiliation of caste, creed, linguistic and religious prejudices we will recognize and acknowledge the services of former president of Pakistan for the whole country and especially for Chitral. During his regime, he led Pakistan towards prosperity and stabilized the economy. He also improved the image of the country worldwide. The most important thing is that in his time Pakistan was free from IMF’s clutches, but today we can see that Pakistan is on the brink of destruction. Both the leading political parties had been in power but delivered nothing to our Chitral, but Mr. Pervaiz Musharraf gave special attention to this isolated area and spread a number of mega projects including Lawari Tunnel. Just think about it, how many governments came after Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto…..??? -- Shams Wali Khan, Booni Chitral 10 Jan 2012

Comment 8

I don’t know Musharaf is good or bad leader, but I remember for sure the time just few years back when, Chitrlies used to get stuck in Peshawar for weeks waiting for Fokker flight. I can remember when we used to fight with each other and with PIA staff every day in and out. I can remember Chitralies selling their waistcoats and Phakools in Peshawar to buy bus tickets to come and return from PIA office. Everyone can remember the days when Masajid where there was a Chitrali imam in Peshawar used to be packed of Chitralies, coming just to spent night there. Imam e Masajid used to open the back door of masjid for Chitrlies after Isha prayer, and asking them to quit masjid before Fajr Azan. Arbab was known to each and every Chitrali. I can remember the days when we used to protest every day in Peshawar and have been beaten up by Peshawar police on reads time and again. How can one forget the time when we used to drag our mothers sisters over snow while passing lawari. How can I forget the bedbugs of hotels in Dir, how can one forget travel through Kunar and overnight stays in place like Chaqansarai with our sick mothers and sisters. None can forget when we were looted every day in the hands of 10-12 years old tribal kids on Kurar road., How can we forget our helplessness in PIA booking clerk’s desks in Chitral. No one can forget the bodies of our brothers still buried under tons of snow in lawari. Is that easy to forget the days when Gunshalies used to carry us on their backs through lawari ?. I can also remember the dead bodies of Chitralies decomposing on beds waiting for flight in Peshawar , and finally buried in Wazir Bagh. I don’t care what Musharaf did with any one else, but if I as Chitrali neglected his services for Chitral, I will never be forgiven in any court in this world and in the court of life hereafter. Yes, if Musharaf was not allowed to fight election I will defiantly look for new faces in Pakistani politics. -- Dr. Khalil (Jughooru) Hamilton ON Canada 10 Jan 2012

Comment 9

As mentioned by commentators, no doubt, Mr. Musharraf did a great a job for Chitral during his reign but it is amazing to note that some politicians try to take the credit for their vested interests. These so called well wishers of Chitral have now a new game plan as can be seen from their generous invitations, so sad. So sad in the sense that they still think that the people of Chitral are naive enough to believe them, no way. We know how much they were interested in projects like Lawari tunnel, how bravely they defended the rights of Chitral besides managing contracts and other things for themselves and for their cronies. More funny is the thing that they very proudly mention every single project, even two rooms for the village primary school, built during their tenure. Come on! why to mention them, what's special here? it is the routine business of governments to provide these things, it would be special if these so called benefactors had donated from their efficiently piled wealth.

Now I would suggest to Mr. Musharraf (little hope that he reads CN) not to be fooled by these people. I remember that he had himself witnessed the popularity of his new hosts in one of the gatherings in Chitral. If he goes to the people directly I am pretty much sure that Chitralis would respect his services, otherwise he is destined to lose badly. I would very humbly suggest for the leaders who invite Mr. Musharraf that they did your job, please now leave the ground for others. Enough is enough, we are no more naive to believe you! -- Sanam Fahad, LUMS Lahore 11 Jan 2012.

Comment 10

Good hearing that Parvez Musharaf’s intent to contest coming election from Chitral and very positive debate by the ladies and gentleman on the topic. We Chitralis are thankful for the extensive support and personal interest he took during his regime for uplifting Chitral and its people. It was Musharaf who reactivated the long pending Lawari Tunnel Scheme which actually would have already completed if he would have been allowed to continue as a President. During his ruling time he had been through even and odds however he took up various bold steps toward implementation of good governance in the country which the nation direly needs right now. Thus to me he is a true national leader. With regard to the local leadership of Chitral, I strongly feel that we Chitrali, need indigenous leadership preferably from the young genera instead of having non local representatives. Chitral needs two basic things local, competent teachers, and sincere leaders if these two are available the land and its people are not less than anyone in the world. In the past Chitralis have experienced imported candidates had been nominated for representing Chitral in National and Provincial Assembly elections like late Begun Nusrat Bhutto, GA Alana so for any analysis the past observations would be enough. It has also been heard that Imran Khan is also considering some family member of Lakhanis to contest from Chitral in the coming election. Thus we the youth have to resolve that any one representing Chitral should have optimum stake in the land, people, culture, language, and customs of Chitral. A step further if we resolve to elect someone our leader having domicile of Chitral would be good choice instead of looking for non local leadership. Yes for Musharaf I would suggest he may take domicile of Chitral, have a house there first and contest for the seat of Chitral as a Chitrali Candidate. I request the youth to have a look on this option and come up with neutral comments please. -- Sajid Ullah Jan, Moredear, 17 Jan 2012.

Comment 11

Though the credit of Lawari tunnel goes to Musharaf but it is also a recognized reality that this project has its strategic significance which is far greater than the need of chitralies in the national perspective. Besides, Lawari tunnel there were no such initiatives taken by Musharaf for the over all improvement in the human development index as for our Chitral is concerned. For example Musharaf did not bother to open any single institution for higher education in Chitral during his decade long regime, there was no health up-gradation and finally despite his so called claim to be the admirer of Chitrali culture he did nothing in this context. So it is not an easy task for Musharaf to impress Chitralians claiming himself their benefactor. -- Akbar Hussain, Kosht, 17 Jan 2012.

Comment 12

Parvez Musharraf commands lots of respect in Chitral due to his crucial role in construction of the Lowari tunnel. His trying to become an MNA from here in lieu of his services will cost him the respect he enjoys even if he wins the elections. He should revisit his priorities i.e. a menial position of an MNA from a soft constituency versus the large respect he holds amongst the people here. -- Abdul Rashid, Chitral, 18 Jan 2012.

(If you wish to comment oionsinn the above write up, you can send your comments at chitralnews@yahoo.com. Please go through the House Rules  before sending comments)