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Referendum was a blunder: Jamshaid
Only Musharraf briefed on Kargil | Op Silence was overkill
The Post Report
ISLAMABAD: Former Core Commander Rawalpindi and Federal Public Service Commission ex-Chairman Lt General ® Jamshaid Gulzar Kiyani said the 9/11 was a major setback but later decisions taken by President Pervez Musharraf caused a huge loss to the country.
Talking to a private TV channel Monday, he held top army leadership responsible for defeat in 1971 war. He said that the role of General Niazi was shameful. "Pakistani military fought 1965 and 1971 wars with great courage but politicians deserve no credit for it," he remarked.
He said not Nawaz Sharif but Musharraf was briefed on the Kargil issue. "A probe into the Kargil venture should be completed," he added. He said the Indian Army had started heavy bombardment in Kargil. He said the Indian Army had greater strength in military but Pakistan still kept higher standards.
He said issues were openly discussed in core commanders' meetings and it was a wrong impression that corps commanders did not fully express their feelings.
He said disputes surfaced in the core commander's meeting after 9/11 incident. He said Nawaz Sharif approached the US to save the Pakistan Army from disgrace. He said the impression that Nawaz Sharif had ordered surrender was created by President Musharraf. "The plane hijacking event was a false story fabricated by President Musharraf for blaming Nawaz Sharif. He said "we had grabbed Indians from the neck in Kargil war".
The former core commander further said the referendum was completely false and he had advised against it. He said the masses were the real power of a national leader. He said the government had been fighting for the interests of the US. "The country has been gripped by the suicide attacks and it's after effects were out of control," he added.
Commenting on Lal Masjid, he said it was highly important for Al-Qaeda. He termed the attack on Lal Masjid sheer cruelty while he said "I am an army man by nature and profession but still I cannot imagine throwing hand grenades on innocent people. The use of phosphorus bombs that burns human skin and flesh was not required in the Lal Masjid operation." He said students and militants would have surrendered if more time was given.
He hoped the movement started by ex-service men would be successful. "I support them.. Moreover, he said, "President Musharraf should not be given a safe passage so that nobody will follow in his footprints," he added.
"Incase President Musharraf escapes the impeachment trial, dictators will keep on ruling the country and the situation will never change," the retired soldier said. Criticising President Musharraf's relation with the US, he said Colin Powel called him and asked him weather he was with them or against them upon which he yielded. He also raised the question of missing people and said they were either sent to Guantanamo Bay or were in jails. Nothing was proved when Mula Zaeef was released from Guantanamo Bay after two years, he added.
He said ISI should not be used for wrong purposes. He said President Musharraf could have been a successful leader, had he made use of our loyal suggestions. He said he had advised the president to doff army uniform on August 14, 2004. He said President Musharraf and former PM Shaukat Aziz carried all the appointments according to their personal wishes. The bombardment on Bajaur Agency and Waziristan was carried out by US Cobra Helicopters which was witnessed by the local people. The job should have been done by Pakistan Army if needed, he added. He said the ex-servicemen have decided to support the deposed judiciary as well as deposed chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The regime of president Musharraf was the worst era and its sole responsible was President Musharraf himself. He added. He advised the masses to take to the streets for Musharraf's impeachment. However, he said, President Musharraf will drag his feet and will not easily let go off his power.