Pervez Musharraf: Condolences and tributes for the once military strongman to forgotten politician
He was the first person who introduced the slogan “Pakistan first”
Condolences and tributes are being shared for the once military strongman to the forgotten politician, Pervez Musharraf.
Former President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) passed away after a prolonged illness, at a hospital in Dubai on Sunday. He was 79.
The mighty fall just like the weak, an end of an era
Pervez Musharraf, a retired four-star general became the tenth president of Pakistan after the successful military takeover of the federal government in 1999.
He was a veteran of the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.
He was decorated with Imtiazi Sanad for gallantry when he jumped into a burning gun position as a Lt and took out artillery rounds to avoid loss of lives in Chawinda.
He held the presidency from 2001 until 2008 when he tendered his resignation to avoid impeachment.
The former military ruler was sentenced to death by a special court on December 17, 2019, under Article 6 of the Constitution in a case of high treason that was filed against him during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) tenure.
Pervez Musharraf had always been in the headlines in his tumultuous life, from the Kargil war to the overthrow of the Nawaz government and from making himself a President in uniform to leaving the country.
Amid Musharraf’s decisions taken during his tenure, he is regarded as a controversial character in Pakistan’s political history. Hence the news of his demise was received with mixed reactions.
Messages from Politicians:
Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered his condolences on the former army chief’s demise.
I offer my condolences to the family of General (rtd) Pervez Musharraf. May the departed soul rest in peace!
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 5, 2023
On the passing of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, PTI Chairman Imran Khan extended his condolences and prayers for his family.
On the passing of General (rerd) Pervez Musharraf my condolences and prayers go to his family. May Allah give them strength to bear this loss.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 5, 2023
Former PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said he would refrain from passing any acrimonious remarks over Musharraf’s death.
Gen Musharraf has died. Now It’s between him and God, so no acrimonious remarks.
Burial be simple, private, dignified; no official trappings, no bugles, no draping in national flag please.
No affront to Constitution, to people, to parliament even if they’re weak & helpless today— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) February 5, 2023
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said Musharraf was a great person and his friends proved to be small.
پرویز مشرف انتقال کر گئے، وہ بہت بڑے انسان تھے ان کے دوست چھوٹے ثابت ہوئے ہمیشہ پاکستان فرسٹ ان کی سوچ اور نظریہ تھا، خدا غریق رحمت کرے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 5, 2023
PTI leader Hammad Azhar said Pervez Musharraf was a military dictator and a power drunk.
Musharaff was a military dictator. He was power drunk. He made mistakes without any accountability that the country still pays for in blood.
Yet he was more democratic and humane than the current PDM regime. This speaks volumes about the traits of the current lot.— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) February 5, 2023
Former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi, while extending condolences, said that Musharraf’s services to the Pakistan Army and the country cannot be forgotten.
سابق صدر و آرمی چیف جنرل پرویز مشرف کے انتقال پر گہرا دکھ اور رنج و غم ہے۔ بیگم صہبا مشرف، بیٹے بلال مشرف اور بیٹی عائلہ مشرف کے غم میں برابر کے شریک ہیں۔ پاکستان آرمی اور ملک کیلئے ان کی خدمات کو فراموش نہیں کیا جا سکتا۔
— Ch Parvez Elahi (@ChParvezElahi) February 5, 2023
Barrister Ali Zafar spoke about his decision to defend the former president after his conviction.
…When an absurd judgement was issued against him, sentencing him to be hanged and ordering his dead body be dragged in the streets, I was enraged. I defended him and called for such ridiculous sentences be declared illegal by the LHC. That was the last time I spoke to.
— Barrister Syed Ali Zafar (@SyedAliZafar1) February 5, 2023
Messages from celebrities:
إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون
I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing away of former President Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf in Dubai. May Allah bless his soul and reward him with a place in Jannat, Aameen. pic.twitter.com/GWoAyza45B
— Javed Miandad (@Javed__Miandad) February 5, 2023
إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون
Just came to know about Gen Pervez Musharraf passing away, condolences to his family & many prayers for Pervez Musharraf sahab's soul. Pakistan has lost one of the finest leaders ever…#PervezMusharraf #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/c1OAvdwb7s
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) February 5, 2023
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un! A valiant soldier, gallant officer, great leader and a true patriot. General #PervezMusharraf had as many detractors as admirers. The departed deserves respect on his final journey. May Allah grant him higher place in Jannah. Aameen🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/akvipXEQHo
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) February 5, 2023
Deeply saddened to learn about former President Pervez Musharraf sahab's passing. My deepest condolences to his family. May Allah bless his soul
إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون
— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) February 5, 2023
Reactions from across the border:
“Pervez Musharraf, Former Pakistani President, Dies of Rare Disease”: once an implacable foe of India, he became a real force for peace 2002-2007. I met him annually in those days at the @un &found him smart, engaging & clear in his strategic thinking. RIP https://t.co/1Pvqp8cvjE
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 5, 2023
Gen.Pervez Musharraf’s demise marks the departure of one of Pakistan’s memorable strongman leaders . Even as he flexed the country’s military muscle, he was eager for recognition from India .
I had the privilege of being the first Indian journalist to interview him. RIP, General! pic.twitter.com/e1zqX8BA5l— Malini Parthasarathy (@MaliniP) February 5, 2023
Messages from Journalists:
میں مشرف کی تعریف نہیں کر سکتا تو مرنے کے بعد ان پر تنقید نہ ہی کروں تو بہتر ہے اکبر بگٹی اور محترمہ بینظیر بھٹو کا قتل تاریخ میں ان سے جڑا رہے گا اگر وہ اپنی زندگی میں ان دو داغوں سے اپنا دامن صاف کر لیتے تو بہت اچھا ہوتا https://t.co/G8nZV7HG28
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) February 5, 2023
Gen Pervez Musharraf (May Allah Subhanaho Ta'Allah rest him in peace) had the best opportunity, near ultimate authority, to fix Pakistan's ills. Musharraf missed life-time opportunity to become legend and put Pakistan on path to glory. History to judge further? pic.twitter.com/i0jNQcFf4R
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) February 5, 2023
The news of Gen Musharraf’s death comes at a time of heightened political unrest. The last military chief Gen Bajwa’s controversial political role and face-off with Imran Khan’s political party has dipped military’s popularity & raised questions about military's role in politics.
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) February 5, 2023
In the end, the mighty fall just like the weak. By our last meeting in 2017, Gen. Musharraf had become a shadow of the strongman whom I first met in the 2000s.
Nothing is certain. Except that fortune favours the brave, and that democracy dies in the dark. pic.twitter.com/OMbucuz7Xd
— Wajahat S. Khan (@WajSKhan) February 5, 2023
Messages continue to pour in on Twitter timeline:
General Pervez Musharraf, breathes his last. اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّآ اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ. I had the honour to serve in Pakistan Army during his tenure as COAS. An accomplished commando & soldier who fought in 1965 & 71 wars. May he live in eternal peace in jannah. Ameen pic.twitter.com/ITX1iei7op
— Muhammad Haroon Aslam HI(M) SBt (Lt Gen- Retd) (@AVeteran1956) February 5, 2023
Rest in peace Sir #PervezMusharraf pic.twitter.com/cdlm7cO7VQ
— Momina Basit (@MominaBasit1) February 5, 2023
The soul of Gen #PervezMusharraf departed but his deeds will remain alive forever.
History will remember him as a visionary leader, brave, courageous and confident soldier. Here is a short documentary on the memories of the life of legendary Pervez Musharaf @OfficialDGISPR pic.twitter.com/EsuSuXNh51— Hassan (@iamHassanSajid) February 5, 2023
