Musharraf terms Nawaz Sharif as 'closet Taliban'

 Sounding like a man hoping for a political comeback, former President Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf has said that he would return back to Pakistan if the people wanted him and if he believed he had enough support to make a contribution.
“If I have to just go there and join a political fray and be involved in accusations and counter-accusations … like most of the politicians are doing,” Musharraf said at news conference in Seattle on Sunday, adding, “I am not interested in that kind of politics.” Later, addressing an audience of several hundred largely Pakistani Americans in Bellevue, Musharraf termed Nawaz Sharif as ‘closet Taliban’, saying he would cause destruction of the country. But he denied the charges that corruption has make its way into the rank and file of Pak Army.

He said the Taliban brand of Islamic extremism posed a serious threat to the nation. “We need to ask ourselves, do we or don’t we want a Taliban/Al-Qaeda culture in Pakistan … because every action then flows from that decision.”
The Friends of Pakistan First sponsored Musharraf’s visit to Washington, and after the speech he answered wide-ranging questions on economy, India, feudalism and other topics. He also was asked about recent terrorist attacks that killed World Vision workers in Mansehra, to which he replied that the aid organisation should show resolve and not withdraw from Pakistan.
The visit came at a time when the Pakistani press has been speculating on whether he has a future political role in the country. In December, a Pakistan Muslim League leader, Sher Afgan Nizai, had said his party would welcome the former president’s return, which was likely to happen this winter. But later, an aide said Musharraf had no plans either to return or to rejoin the political fray. Musharraf, in his remarks at the news conference, boosted his governance. He called Pakistan a ‘failed state’ that was defaulting on debts when he came to power in 1999, and said he was able to increase freedom of the press, improve rights of minorities and stabilise the economy.
During his evening remarks, Musharraf said he lacked one thing – legitimacy domestically and internationally. He conceded he was labelled a dictator. He also spoke about the tense relationship between Pakistan and India.
At the news conference, Musharraf denied that Pakistan had supported terrorist activities in India, which he accused of ‘hyper reactions’ after the Mumbai attacks. He accused India of supporting terrorism in Pakistan, including Balochistan province.
But he said, “We must stop this confrontation between India and Pakistan,” and, “We must go for peace for the sake of the world, because the world considers us to be a nuclear flash point.”
Meanwhile, his visit prompted more than 70 protesters to gather early Sunday evening on a sidewalk outside the Westin Hotel in Bellevue where he spoke. One sign read “Dictator Not Welcome,” while others read, “Stand for Peace” and “Mister Commando is on the Run”.
Meanwhile, talking about Musharraf’s return, Ryan Crocker, former US ambassador to Pakistan, said, “Security would be a huge issue for Musharraf if he returns. So there would have to be some very solid understandings, backed up by the Army.”

Source : http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/16-Mar-2010/Musharraf-terms-Nawaz-Sharif-as-closet-Taliban

Nawaz Sharif Steals Electricity With Kunda

 LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz found itself entangled in a controversy on Monday that threatened to undermine its claim of occupying the high moral ground, according to a report by DawnNews.
As Nawaz Sharif addressed supporters in the run-up to a Lahore by-election, his large rally was lit up by extensive use of illegal connections using ‘kunda’ (hooks that are attached to live power cables to secure supply without having to pay for it).
Power utility officials told DawnNews that they would estimate the number of units consumed and bill the user based on that, while Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah tried to distance his party and government from this outrage by blaming an unnamed contractor.
PML-N spokesman Siddiqul Farooq told DawnNews that an inquiry would be held to fix responsibility for what was “clearly” a crime.

Source: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/06-nawaz-rally-gets-power-supply-from-kunda-23-rs-03

Nawaz Sharif and NRO

In the hearing on NRO cases, NAB admitted that it had spent over PKR 2 billion on investigations against Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari. Despite spending this hefty amount, nothing could be proved against the two. In this series, I am trying to highlight the allegations on Right-wing politicians, bureaucrats, army officials and media personnel. For the sake of justice, I want these allegations to be thoroughly investigated with an equivalent inflation adjusted amount spent and brought to logical conclusion. In the spirit of investigation against BB and AZ, I would suggest that the fairness demands that the prosecution team for these allegations be chosen by PPP leadership to have a level playing field.
Nawaz Sharif:
Here is a list of allegations of corruption against Nawaz Sharif – in a five clip series.




















Nawaz Sharif had two convictions against him, one is a case of hijacking and treason and the other of corruption in purchase of a helicopter. He had a number of corruption cases pending against him and many inquiries under way. As a result of the presidential pardon given in response to written request by Nawaz Sharif and other family members, the inquiries were stopped, all cases were dropped and sentences were removed as a result of a presidential pardon.

Nawaz Sharif Presidential Pardon

Nawaz Sharif himself acknowledged the deal (worse than any NRO) – Express Link. The guarantors intervened to force Nawaz Sharif to stick to the deal till Benazir Bhutto and NRO paved way for his return (Dawn Link).
Ironically, without probing into the detail of the allegations, investigations dropped and convictions, Supreme Court in a haste set aside all allegations against Nawaz Sharif. Unlike NRO, it did not question non-probing of Federal and Provincial Govts. on political grounds.
Another shameful allegation against Mr. Sharif is his involvement in attack on Supreme Court.
Mr. Sharif and his cronies say that Musharraf could not find anything against him in his 9 years. It’s a blatant lie because under Mr. Sharif’s exclusive NRO (known as Jeddah deal for Sharif’s of Jeddah) Musharraf dropped all allegations, cases and investigations against him and his family and they were never opened during his tenure. Nation needs a thorough investigation into these allegations on the lines of allegations against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and President Zardari and trial of all cases against him under international observers.
His foreign business interests and assets should also be probed much the same way as has been done against President Zardari. It’s a fair demand and I invite you all to support me on this.