Sheikh Rasheed sees discontent increasing over Musharraf

LONDON: Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rasheed has said that the discontent in various institutions in Pakistan would increase further if the current government didn’t stop “targeting Pervez Musharraf for personal reasons.”
Addressing a meeting in the House of Lords here, the fiery politician said that he was not taken seriously when he predicted months ago that there was “unease” in the rank and file of Pakistan’s military over Pervez Musharraf’s trial and the way the PML-N leaders and ministers were targeting him.
“Now, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has spoken clearly that that the Pakistan Army upholds the sanctity of all the institutions and will resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride. He has confirmed that the soldiers and officers are equally concerned on undue criticism of the institution in recent days.
The COAS didn’t release his statement just for the sake of it. It has happened because the current government known no bounds while its on a revenge path, it wants to conquer everything and with Musharraf’s trial they are taking shots all around.”
He said that the current government needed to consult army on all important matters because it’s the only institution that’s well-organised and disciplined and it had played a vital role to maintain check and balance. He appealed that the institution of armed forces would not be made controversial under any circumstances.
Sheikh Rasheed said: “The mother of all the crimes was committed on 12th of October 1999 and any trial or accountability should start from that. Why pick on Musharraf only and why call him a traitor? We may disagree with Musharraf on all matters but is it fair to call the former army chief a traitor? Those calling Musharraf such names are working on an international agenda to harm Pakistan. This must end. The two Khawajas must be roped into by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.”
He told the audience that Pakistan was being ruled by six families who had everything going for them while the government was indifferent to the sufferings of the common people who were struggling for basic necessities of life. He predicted that the year 2014 would be defining for Pakistan as it would be within this year it would be decided whether “Nawaz Sharif packs and goes to Raiwind or becomes the permanent king.”