the British Parliament into disrepute.
In a letter to Black Rod, the custodian of the House of Lords, Lord Ahmed said the proposed meeting will attract protests and negative Pakistani media attention. Urging the House of Lords authorities not to allow this meeting, he cites a precedence set when he invited Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to hold a press conference after the tragic death of his mother Benazir Bhutto, and was advised by the then Black Rod that the meeting would attract unnecessary attention and that the venue could even become a target for a terrorist attack.
“I feel that as the retired General claims that his life is under threat, and seeks Scotland Yard’s Special Branch Security for his visits to Parliament, that this meeting is a security matter you need to consider very seriously,” Lord Ahmed writes in his letter.
But Anjum announced yesterday that the meeting will go ahead at any cost and accused that anti-Musharraf Pakistanis were acting on behalf of their political godfathers in Pakistan. “We should not unnecessarily exaggerate events or import emotional Pakistani politics into the UK. The Palace of Westminster should not be held hostage by anyone. We are proud of the fact that we are British and we strongly value democracy and freedom of expression. Unfortunately, there are some who still have not learnt the true meaning of these principles and who do not support tolerance and freedom of expression,” Anjum said in a statement sent to The News.
Lord Sheikh, who has booked the place for 23rd February on his name, appealed to all parties to keep politics out. He told The News that the great leader will only talk about the leadership, the team management issues and building spirits. “He will tell the Muslim youth how they can achieve big positions in life.”
Barrister Saif, Musharraf’s official spokesman who is busy organizing support for Musharaf to launch his political career formally, told The News that Musharraf was impressed by the number of invitations he was receiving from overseas Pakistan, especially British Pakistanis.
“After all, people are getting to realize now that Musharraf was not as bad a person as portrayed in the media. People are able to see the other side of the coin now and it’s all good for Musharraf,” said Saif, who also agreed that Musharraf was seriously considering launching his political career soon and Brigadier (retired) Rashid Qureshi, Dr Sher Afgan Niazi , Nisar Muhammd Khan and quite a number of important people were advising him to enter into politics as soon as possible. “The nation needs him today.”
A key member of Musharraf’s London cabinet, on condition of anonymity, told The News that the retired general’s spirits are high because the political squabbling and judicial tussle in Pakistan are exposing the reality of the government and the friendly opposition to Pakistanis.