Parvez Musharraf
The Mossad chief referred to attempts on Musharaf’s life and wondered whether he could survive the coming years. – File Photo

NEW YORK: The WikiLeaks documents reveal that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad was concerned for former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s well-being and wanted him to remain in power in 2007. The revelation was made in a secret cable message originating from the American embassy in Tel Aviv.

It records a meeting between Mossad chief and US Under-Secretary of State Nicholas Burns under the Bush administration.

Mr Burns met Mossad chief Meir Dagan on Aug 17, 2007, to give his assessment of the Middle East region, Pakistan and Turkey.

The Israeli spy chief said he was concerned about how long President Musharraf would survive.

“He is facing a serious problem with the militants. Pakistan’s nuclear capability could end up in the hands of an Islamic regime.”

Dagan observed that Musharraf appeared to be losing control and his coalition partners could threaten him in the future.

He linked Musharraf’s retaining control over Pakistan to his dual president and commander-in-chief role.

The cable says that if Musharraf cannot retain his army role, he will have problems.

The Mossad chief referred to attempts on Musharaf’s life and wondered whether he could survive the coming years.

Opinion

Editorial

Plugging the gap
06 May, 2024

Plugging the gap

IN Pakistan, bias begins at birth for the girl child as discriminatory norms, orthodox attitudes and poverty impede...
Terrains of dread
06 May, 2024

Terrains of dread

KARACHI, with its long history of crime, is well-acquainted with the menace. For some time now, it has witnessed...
Appointment rules
06 May, 2024

Appointment rules

IT appears that, despite years of wrangling over the issue, the country’s top legal minds remain unable to decide...
Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....