General Pervez Musharraf breathed his last

imposed exile for several years in Dubai before taking his eternal flight. The National assembly and the Senate in Pakistan remained split over offering prayers for the departed soul of Pervez Musharraf. Like the Bhuttos- Zulfiqar and Benazeer, General Musharraf will also be remembered as a controversial figure in Pakistani politics. His actions of going to war in Afghanistan were met with serious criticism in later days. He was also criticized for his actions against Nawab Bugti and Lal mosque of Islamabad. His biggest blunder that he himself admitted was issuance of the National Reconciliation Order (NRO). The NRO, a presidential ordinance issued by Musharraf in October, 2007 granted amnesty for leaving the country to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats accused on charges of cor-

By: Sqn. Ldr. Nusrat Hussain (R)

Founding f Editor of ‘ The Miracle’.

Pakistani former President Pervez Musharraf died on Sunday, 5 th February following a prolonged illness. His body was flown to Karachi where he was buried with full military honors under strict security measures. According to reports attendance at the funeral was estimated around 5000 people.

They were mostly serving and retired military officers; politicians, and civil officers of higher ranks. Musharraf remained in self- ruption, money laundering and murder during 1986 -1999 (a time period between two Martial Laws of Gen. Zia and Gen. Musharraf). Nawaz Shareef and Asif Ali Zardari mainly benefited from this ordinance. Was he hated or loved more, will always remain a question in the pages of history.

Regardless of friends and foes, none can deny him to be a bold and fearless statesman who logically faced the international press maintaining an eye ball to eye ball contact with the reporters. Despite his extremely anti India statements, the Indian Press always offered him respect due to his upright and bold stance on issues. He was also praised for the same reason by media outlets like BBC and CNN.

There were anti Musharraf rallies taken out and slogans against him were raised outside the building in downtown Vancouver where he was invited to lecture in January, 2011. In my personal experience of a few brief meetings with him, I found him to be an intelligent and a bold man with candid ideas.

It was an honor for me to conduct his press conference during his visit to Vancouver in 2011.

Incidentally, his death coincides with the first death anniversary of Mr. Liaquat Ali Bajwa who was a renowned leader of our Pakistani community in Vancouver. Mr. Bajwa was a diehard supporter of Musharraf and was instrumental in arranging the visit of the General to the Pakistani community of Vancouver. It was because of the initiative of Mr. Bajwa that several meetings of the Pakistani community members were arranged withPresident Musharraf. We pray for good of both the departed souls.

By: Safia Khan

Sisters provision are available