War of words among parties over Musharraf

E-Paper | March 09, 2026

ISLAMABAD: A war of words broke out between the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on the one hand and Muttahida Qaumi Movement on the other on the issue of the purported heart ailment of former president General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday. Leaders of the PPP and PML-N issued statements against Gen Musharraf while MQM came up in support of the former president who reportedly suffered a heart attack while he was on way to a special court.

Soon after the former dictator was admitted to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari posted a rather sarcastic note on his twitter account which read: “I can’t believe this coward ever wore the uniform of our brave and courageous armed forces.” He further said: “All medical excuses must be verified by an independent board of doctors. I have an ouchy is no excuses (sic) to skip your treason case.” Bilawal said the proceedings of the special court showed that the defence team intended to fight the court, not the case.

In response to Mr Bilawal’s remarks, MQM leader Muhammad Anwar said the statement of PPP leader was disappointing and shocking for every Pakistani.

It is pertinent to mention here that MQM’s self-exiled chief Altaf Hussain was the first politician of the country who gave his remarks on Musharraf’s ‘heart attack’ and urged people to pray for his (Musharraf’s) good health.

Mr Anwar said: “Those who are calling Musharraf a coward should know that Bilawal’s father and former president Asif Ali Zardari, in order to avoid his personal appearance in Swiss Court, had submitted a medical certificate claiming that he was mentally unfit and thus could not attend the court proceedings.”

The advisers of Bilawal should advise him that before maligning others, he should look into the role of his family members in politics, the MQM leader added.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in a statement said that the government had not made any decision to send Musharraf abroad for medial treatment. “If he is medically unfit his lawyer should submit a medical certificate before the court,” the minister said.

He, however, said the government would accept any decision of the court, if made, regarding Musharraf.

The PML-N’s information secretary Mushahidullah said he was not certain about medical condition of Musharraf but the fact was that he had already tried to avoid the courts. “Musharraf’s retribution has started,” he added.

He said PML-N chief and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had faced imprisonment and was also tortured but Mr Musharraf was horrified without having any pressure.

Pakistan

Musharraf moved to hospital; court grants exemption

rafiq

Jan 03, 2014 08:17am

Bilawal - Bhutto and Zardari family only knows nare bazi. Talk is cheap. Don't fool us any more. You were doing good in London, that is where you belong.

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khan

Jan 03, 2014 09:09am

Before giving this comment,he should look in the history.Yes one of these brave soldiers hanged you grand father.And now you are talking for them. Let me tell you that you are not even close to your grand father,Z.A BHUTTO.You are Zardari,and you changed your last name just to get sympathies and popularity.You have no confidence in yourself,you can go so low that you took off your Biological father's name.Mr.Bilawal Zardari, everybody looks coward to you,and you think you are the bravest person in the world.Stop day dreaming,when you will face the real world,then you will know your real worth.

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Aftab

Jan 03, 2014 11:56am

Bilawal knows how to make the headlines. Indeed, he is not new to Pakistani politics. Recent reactions from other leaders show what Bilawal says On the other hand, MQM knows the politics of principles and stands for fairness and justice - no matter what price it has to pay. PML-N knows only vendetta and doesn't care even it means derailing democracy, nation and its own government. It seems this time PML-N is forced by its promises and former CJ to take the route against army.

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ali ahmed

Jan 03, 2014 01:01pm

Bilawal is a new Veena Malik of politics...always want to make news with his childish statement

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Mustafa

Jan 03, 2014 01:02pm

Our Defence Minister, Khwaja Asif is too ignorant to know that as a member of the executive he should not make any comments on a sub-judice matter.

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Sajad Padder

Jan 03, 2014 02:35pm

Does military men don't suffer from heart attacks? Bilawal Bhutto is too unfit for the health of politics in Pakistan. This man Musharraf did many good things for Pakistan. The issues of civil-military relations are too complex for common masses to comprehend. I wonder how even this newspaper calls Musharraf "former dictator" and not as former President. It was he who gave media full freedom in Pakistan and not any civilian government. One family rule is also a sort of dictatorship then.

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Partner

Jan 03, 2014 03:04pm

Pakistan people to pray for his (Musharraf

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MMS (USA)

Jan 03, 2014 05:24pm

I dont care what people say, or what Bilal says, or what Nawaz says, or what Imran says, or what Fazul says etc.etc.etc. The only single fact I know is, even if the constitution was attacked or martial law was imposed, the best period in Pakistan was in the time of Musharraf. The lawyers incident, the Lal Masjid incident and the Bughti incident was brought upon themselves. It is surprising at that time every one supported it, today after he is out people want to blame someone, why not the loser.

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Rizwan

Jan 03, 2014 06:36pm

Sir Mashraff , all my family is praying for your health. R. Ashfaque

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mohammad shafique

Jan 03, 2014 06:36pm

mqm chief altaf hussein and musharraf have much in common - both are reluctant to face the courts in pakistan

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Sami

Jan 03, 2014 07:49pm

People of Pakistan are fed up with corrupt politicians who are only after revenge.

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Pragmatist

Jan 03, 2014 09:43pm

Bilawal Bhutto or PML(N)'s irresponsible behavior about President Musharraf's health issue is shameful. They should remember that when this gentleman assumed power he could have hanged Nawaz Sharif and all his cronies as well as destroy PPP completely. He did not do it but worked hard to pull Pakistan out of its quagmire. I was one of the people who wrote a letter to him to appreciate his magnanimous behavior. I was proud that he did not repeat what Zia-ul-Haq did to Z.A. Bhutto. Alas, these petty Pakistani politicians perhaps do not deserve any such benevolence. These elements shall remember that the next time when Pak Army moves in they may not be that lucky anymore.

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Jan 03, 2014 10:01pm

Musharaff put the constitution in abyss to save Pakistan and bring prosperity in the country. Zardari and Nawaz Sharif disobeyed the constitution and looted the country ruthlessly which brought the country to poverty and bankruptcy. Now tell me which crime is worse and has affected the country most.

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sali

Jan 03, 2014 10:04pm

It's amazing that people who looted this country and their incompetents has taken it to a near bankruptcy are talking about someone who has been an honest and patriotic leader. Mushraff has given more to this country in his 7 years than what they can do in their whole life. He is at least facing the justice and not running away or sitting in Dubai like others.

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malik

Jan 03, 2014 10:28pm

"former president Asif Ali Zardari, in order to avoid his personal appearance in Swiss Court, had submitted a medical certificate claiming that he was mentally unfit and thus could not attend the court proceedings" LOL he was also mentally unfit to be the president. But occupied the office anyways

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Just Someone

Jan 03, 2014 11:10pm

I believe that Musharraf did a lot for the country when he was in power. He was forced to step down. I wish that he had remained. But at that time, it was the correct decision to step down because in the atmosphere that had been created, his presence was doing more harm than good. I am still his fan but I also feel that now he is a distraction. He can not be voted to power, and even if he comes, he will not be deliver what he did previously. That era is over and we need to move on and try to make best out of what we have. We need to push and force our current leaders to work for the nation and less for their own interests. There is a already a competition between PML-N and PTI to deliver. Lets hope that turns out good for the country. As for PPP, it is very unfortunate to say, that it has not learned anything from the past 5 years and is not delivering in Sindh.

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Guest

Jan 04, 2014 12:58am

General Musharraf faced difficult situations, and he took decisions. Some of the decisions were not so good, but he apologised. He apologised to the Pakistani people, not to the politicians, not to judiciary, not to MQM, not to PPP, not to PTI, not to any party. He came back to Pakistan because that is where he belongs. He has fought in wars for Pakistan. For those who want justice, I suggest you be true to yourself and your country, and demand prosecution of all three- Nawaz Sharif, Zardari and Musharraf. All have done misdeeds and should be prosecuted. Cannot just be one person.

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xPakistani

Jan 04, 2014 02:56am

@MMS (USA): Nobody denies that Musharraf was good person and for a period of time his rule was good. But regardless, how good Musharraf was, one undeniable fact cannot be ruled out that he was a dictator came in power, illegally. Pakistanis have difficulty understand - that even in broken Pakistan, there is still rules, regulations, constitution and reality and facts. Musharraf, will always go into history standing disgracefully with general Ayub, general Yahiya, general Zia. The world will never forget, will never praise and will never accept dictators . Just because few miss guided people (Pakistani) will say, " they don't care". Reality is that world does cares. These self serving, selfish dictators have robed Pakistan from becoming mature democratic country. No place in the world all elected leaders are the best, they have their weaknesses and short comings. That doesn't give rights to army generals to come in take over the country by force. Remember all dictators eventually end up disgracefully, fallen dictators, thrown out of power, killed or get permanent resident of prison. Please look at your neighbor, India has its share of ridiculous, lunatic and incompetent leaders - but army never came - therefore India got a chance to develop and have mature democracy, called world largest democracy. What is Pakistan called? Please we need to stop praising Army dictators - they should have never been tolerated - if we keep praising, that would encourage others generals in future to take a pot shot - it is not good for country it will never be good regardless how good human being the dictators are. Eventually bad in them will come out. Please stay with elected leaders and if they are not good remove them, don't let them stay in power more than constitution allows it. It took 200 years for American to develop enviable democracy. Even today They large share incompetent leaders, but dictatorship is not acceptable alternate. Most important part Pakistanis have to grow mature, if keep praising dictators a desirable democracy will not come in Pakistan.

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Nadeem Chaudhry

Jan 04, 2014 03:37am

...............And then there was one political leader who did not compromise on principles and walked elegantly towards the gallows!

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Lahori

Jan 04, 2014 03:49am

Musharaf any time million times better than PPP and PML-N leaders.

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khalid sheikh

Jan 04, 2014 04:37am

Enough from this little Imp.He is trying to be leader of the Zankha Party.Its not going to work anymore.

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Chaudhry

Jan 04, 2014 05:29am

Where are all those bold politicians who supported Musharaf during his time?

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shafiq

Jan 04, 2014 06:28am

*** Does military men don't suffer from heart attacks? Bilawal Bhutto is too unfit for the health of politics in Pakistan. This man Musharraf did many good things for Pakistan. The issues of civil-military relations are too complex for common masses to comprehend. I wonder how even this newspaper calls Musharraf "former dictator" and not as former President. It was he who gave media full freedom in Pakistan and not any civilian government. One family rule is also a sort of dictatorship the

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Naved

Jan 04, 2014 11:53am

Bilawal and others like him, need to understand that being brave and being stupid are two different things. Musharraf is avoiding the revenge attempt in a tactful manner, which is a wise step. These political parties with so many corrupt politicians are trying to use Musharraf as punching bag to show their patriotism.

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kamljit Singh

Jan 04, 2014 12:54pm

@MMS (USA): What was the reason that people did not vote for his party?

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Zain

Jan 04, 2014 02:22pm

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Ghani K

Jan 04, 2014 05:58pm

It is pertinent to mention here that MQM

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huma khan

Jan 05, 2014 04:31pm

Single out Musharaf for trial not justice.Musharaf is very honestman for Pakistan.

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Khalid

Jan 05, 2014 07:57pm

Who really cares what Bilawal says. This little boy is nobody. In his 20s, he has never excelled in education, he has no idea how Pakistanis live, he has never used Pakistani education system, never been exposed the health system of Pakistan and has never held a job for one day. Please don't give him the air of publicity. He is just a little boy with big (and misplaced) ambitions.

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wasim

Jan 05, 2014 11:26pm

There is nothing wrong in praising good deeds of anyone. No one can deny that Musharaf is clean and he did good for this country and its economy. No one can deny that the PPP and PMLN leaders are corrupt. No one can deny that there is no place for poor in Pakistan.

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wali

Jan 06, 2014 02:45am

There is no room for honesty in Pakistan. Look at our so called honest politicians.

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