Musharraf lands in Karachi amid tight security

Mateen Haider Dawn.com Asif Mahmood Published April 19, 2014

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Former president Pervez Musharraf's special chartered plane has arrived in Karachi on late Saturday night, after departing from Islamabad.

The port city has been on high alert with roads being cordoned off for the former president's security.

It is the first time that the former president, who will be staying at his residence in the city, has left Islamabad after being indicted in a high treason case by a special court last month.

Musharraf is due to appear in court in person in Islamabad on Monday in the murder case of a slain Baloch nationalist leader, or face arrest.

But his aides insisted his visit to Karachi had been pre-planned.

“He was planning to spend some time with his daughter there as his wife is in Dubai taking care of his ailing mother,” Afshan Adil, a close aide and lawyer told AFP.

“He is also supposed to undergo some diagnostic tests in a Navy-run hospital there,” she added.

It was unclear whether Musharraf would return to the federal capital for the Monday court hearing.

Earlier on, the former president left his farmhouse in Islamabad for Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

Two armoured vehicles escorted him to the airport, with surrounding roads closed to the public and a heavy contingent of rangers and police deployed along the route.

Security sources close to Musharraf said that during his stay in Karachi, which would be for about over a week, he is expected to meet family, friends and the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) office-bearers.

Sources said the visit of the former military ruler was on account of the security issues confronting him as well as for the continuation of his medical treatment.

It was also contended that Musharraf would be treated in Karachi's PNS Shifa hospital.

The Sindh government has made strict security arrangements for his arrival, including a bullet-proof car, five armoured vehicles and deployment of 3,000 Rangers and police personnel.

Sources moreover said that there were complete preparations to transfer Musharraf from his Chak Shahzad farmhouse residence.

After his indictment on March 31, the former president was shifted from the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), where he was under medical treatment, to the farmhouse residence.

According to sources, Musharraf’s health has improved and due to this the decision regarding his transfer to Karachi has been taken.

Pakistan

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Aftab Alam Khan

Apr 19, 2014 12:46pm

With his improved health will he fly abroad?

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SUNNY

Apr 19, 2014 12:56pm

this man is some thing, can fly Karachi, but can not appear in court

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SUNNY

Apr 19, 2014 01:12pm

he should be in jail,

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Parvez

Apr 19, 2014 01:18pm

Come to think of it...... Minister Saad Rafiq had a point.

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rahul

Apr 19, 2014 01:45pm

Please send him to India

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Uza Syed

Apr 19, 2014 01:49pm

Welcome home! Karachi must be happy to see one of its greatest sons coming home and I'm sure that Karachi would like its other children to go out and welcome home their great fellow citizen. Good people, all Karachite must warmly welcome back President Musharrad. He rendered great service to our motherland Pakistan and we are proud of our President Musharraf.

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Karachiwalla

Apr 19, 2014 02:13pm

The culprit of high treason is not welcome in Karachi... The city is already bracing a large number of criminals including target killers, extortionists, bank robbers and other mafias.

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excalibur

Apr 19, 2014 02:13pm

The sham tribunal and stinking vendetta will only end through Divine intervention. To stop him from going across to see his ailing mother will not go unpunished. Truth will triumph

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water

Apr 19, 2014 02:44pm

though Karachi is being painted as his bolthole but it might turn into a possible safe exit. And this is what bullies desperately want, asap!

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khuma

Apr 19, 2014 03:11pm

Good initiative to travel to his native place.

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Usher

Apr 19, 2014 03:17pm

Welcome, Karachi loves you. You have given this city a lot and this is the sole reason of your fall.

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zak

Apr 19, 2014 03:20pm

Where ever President Musharaf goes, he is a patriotic Pakistani, who his enemies dread. He will leave sooner or later because the crooks and traitors of this country want to destroy it without any hindrance. And he is a Hindrance to their plans.

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Saad Siddiqui

Apr 19, 2014 03:26pm

@SUNNY: He has appeared more than 16 times in court, more than your beloved politicians, he went to the last hearing of court too, despite what media and ppl like you claimed.

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Shafiq Khan

Apr 19, 2014 03:48pm

Who is picking the bill ? Poor tax payers of Pakistan. What about the security of millions of others who are facing daily attacks ?

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Ayesha Khan

Apr 19, 2014 03:55pm

Good decision, Mr Musharraf has appeared in the courts all the time, with his life under great danger, the bombs exploding every now and then. He is most welcome to Karachi, he needs a break. Great Leader and a person.

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imran ali

Apr 19, 2014 04:02pm

@Shafiq Khan: may be you have poor knowledge...ex president is entitled to have free travel,free health care

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Karim Mombani

Apr 19, 2014 04:07pm

He is the true of the new Liberal Pakistan that we have been seeing. All the media and development that we see today is because of his liberal thoughts and a tolerant and visionary ideology. I feel ashamed as a Pakistani the way we had treated and are treating this Hero. Pakistan Zindabad, Quaid-E-Azam Zindabad, Pervez Musharaf Zindabad

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Zafar Iqbal

Apr 19, 2014 04:14pm

Welcome sir , we are proud of you.you have beautified the face of this city . but previous govt. did nothing in five years of their tenure.this city needs you sir.you are a real patriot .long live Pervez Musharraf

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Attaullah

Apr 19, 2014 04:25pm

I was under the impression that he got house arrest. Different rules for rich people in this funny land of ours

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gerry d'cunha

Apr 19, 2014 04:35pm

karachi welcomes this great leader to his own city!!! karachites are friendly and hospitality citizens

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Zain

Apr 19, 2014 04:51pm

Without any doubt Musharraf days were way better for this country than the "democratic puppets" of today. Wish he could have stayed in power for another 5-10 yrs. would have made Pakistan one the most stable countries of the world.

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sarah shah

Apr 19, 2014 04:57pm

get well soon sir musharaf u are an important asset of pakistan....you are the need of hour brave man.....

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sarah shah

Apr 19, 2014 04:59pm

@rahul: why mr rahul....he is pakistans asset we need him in the place of coward nawaz.

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Ahmed

Apr 19, 2014 04:59pm

@SUNNY: Perhaps he needs an advice from Altaf Bhai, his greatest admirer and hero....What a mess!

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mjk

Apr 19, 2014 05:15pm

Well he is half there, another hour flight, he can land in Dubai. End of the circus show.

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ashfaq ahmed

Apr 19, 2014 05:23pm

Are you coming to join 12 May celebrate parada?

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Kabir

Apr 19, 2014 05:43pm

@Karachiwalla: You should be ashamed of your words No President ever given such a huge budget as Musharraf had given to Karachi. Karachi owe him a lot WELCOME to Karachi Mr. President

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Pragmatist

Apr 19, 2014 05:44pm

May Allah grant President Musharraf good health and long life. Let's hope that Pakistan is also granted peace and security by Him and the terrorists, fundamentalists, treasury thieves and the like are reformed or eliminated from this poor country.

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zak

Apr 19, 2014 06:32pm

@rahul: Send Modi to Pakistan along with his aide Col Rohit.

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Ferdous Haideri

Apr 19, 2014 06:42pm

Let's hope for the best for his Health InshaAllah!

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zak

Apr 19, 2014 07:20pm

@Karachiwalla: Biggest culprit of high treason is Nawaz a product of Zia ul Haq the worst dictator. And that culprit sits in the PM seat.

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NAZIR HUSSAIN

Apr 19, 2014 07:35pm

The visionary, the strong, the GREAT, and the decisive GENERAL AND PRESIDENT should be loved by every PAKISTANI ............

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Syed S Shere

Apr 19, 2014 07:41pm

Musharraf is being persecuted only because he is an Urdu speaking gentlemen. His distractors from both the PMLN and PPP are both robbers who have stolen from Pakistan and stashed their wealth overseas. They would like yo keep him out of power so as to perpetuate their frenzy.

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AKN

Apr 19, 2014 07:52pm

Musharraf is an albatross around the necks of army & Nawaz Sharif - They can't figure out how to get rid of him, they are looking for an excuse so one side can blame the other side.

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Abdullah N

Apr 19, 2014 08:40pm

"It was also contended that Musharraf would be treated in Karachi's PNS Shifa hospital"- So Army medical/cardiology centre in Islamabad/Rawalpindi was not good enough ? So he would be more secure in Karachi ? Why not put him in Bilawal House,Karachi the most secured house in the country.

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independentthinker

Apr 19, 2014 08:46pm

Can we please end this drama and fly him out of Pakistan? If anybody thinks he will face justice - I ask them to think again! When was the last time a military man in Pakistan actually paid for his crimes? Let us close this chapter and focus on the insurgents, who continue to cause havoc in our country. That should be our top priority!

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rasmingue

Apr 19, 2014 08:56pm

@mjk: Due to weather miscalculations, or malfunctions of instrument, his plane can land in UAE, but remember he is already indicted. If he fails to return, first all over the world, he will be unwanted, fugutive from the law, all of his bank accounts and property could be seized and any one and everyone who helps him will be aiding and abetting . He has dug his own hole, ISI, friends, followers sympathy folks , all advised him not to return --he was wanted by politicians, judiciary to settle scores and liability for the army. His reception at the airport was a litmus test, he should have flown out right away but he is not a wise man. Remember the words of Dwight Eisenhower, late U.S. President, "in Washington you need a friend, get a dog". In Pakistan, people only saluts to reining star, not a retired general. Now the stars of Pakistan Muslim Leaque are shinning.

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KAMAL AHMED

Apr 19, 2014 09:23pm

Law&Order of the country particularly of Karachi permits for live running commentary regarding Ex. General's itenary,his stay and whereabouts? He is on the hit list and several futile attempts were made on his live and one is very recently.I would request media for low profile about his whereabouts.

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Ali Pakistani

Apr 19, 2014 09:26pm

President Musharraf's name will be written in golden letters in the history of Pakistan. A patriotic leader who steered the country out of crises and led it on the path of prosperity and DEMOCRACY. The only leader who tried to make Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan. The only leader who believed in the ideology of Pakistan.

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imran karim

Apr 19, 2014 09:28pm

@imran ali: he was not elected President he was a dictator came to power by military coup.

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Fahd Siddiqui

Apr 19, 2014 09:34pm

He should be flown out. There will be no justice. There never has been. All the time he is here; he is a liability. A drain that is flushing away our tax rupees. Sure send him to Karachi: a city already drenched in violence. And now another terrorist magnet. Just go away and leave us be.

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Fahd Siddiqui

Apr 19, 2014 09:38pm

How convenient it is for wealthy indicted prisoners to be free to travel and enjoy the comfort of their homes and their choice of hospitals whereas the poor have no such freedoms even before the indictments... Where is the justice that sees equally?

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SachBol

Apr 19, 2014 09:38pm

Welcome! Mr Musharraf to Karachi. A true patriot, soldier and statesman who did well for Pakistan, inside and internatinally. Non of the current and inept politicians are even close to him in terms of character, honesty and vision.

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KAMAL AHMED

Apr 19, 2014 09:39pm

@independentthinker: I hope soon he will be a state guest of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia like our PM used to be.$1.5 billion has its worth. By the way where is Barristor Sharifuddin Pirzada? It appears that he took the hefty fee and adviced General Sb.of wrongdoings but no antidote. It is my humble request , he should also be sent abroad.

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SachBol

Apr 19, 2014 09:42pm

@Shafiq Khan: What about these inept and corrupt politicians security bills who are so called people's representatives but are waderas, sardars and jagidars getting elected on the basis of baradaris, language and race.

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Ali

Apr 19, 2014 09:44pm

Coward and corrupt judges will keep Bhutto in jail and hang him, release murderers of Bugti, no justice to Mujeeb but will protect Musharraf. Why the hell he is not in jail? Why jails are only for poor people?

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HbT

Apr 19, 2014 10:12pm

@independentthinker: Sorry but you are talking sensibly.No one will listen to you.

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Fiz

Apr 19, 2014 10:18pm

Send him out of the country. Being a tax payer, we can't bear his medical expenses, security and other shenanigans. Send him to where he is safe so that we can concentrate on other urgent issues.

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Shams Khan

Apr 19, 2014 10:20pm

Actually he landed in Karachi en route to Dubai......

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independentthinker

Apr 19, 2014 10:59pm

@HbT: I am talking sensibly - but no one will listen to me???? Can you please repeat what you just said in English!

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Syed S Shere

Apr 19, 2014 11:01pm

@Karachiwalla: It is surprising you don't like him. The entire population of Karachi is indebted to him for all the improvements he allowed Karachiites to accomplish. Shame on you.

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Raja

Apr 19, 2014 11:41pm

Pervez Musharraf is an Ironman, he is the best General and President of Pakistan ever. Those who are trying to defame him are the enemy of Pakistan.

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Khan

Apr 19, 2014 11:50pm

Welcome home proud son of Karachi, we are proud of you due to your contribution of giving Karachi part of revenue it generates otherwise looted by Islamabad

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Daanish

Apr 20, 2014 12:50am

what a shame !! who is paying for this? His medical condition is a drama? He can fly but cannot go to court? He sold our land people and sovereignty. He is a traitor. He should get a London passport like his buddy.

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majid malik

Apr 20, 2014 01:08am

President Musharraf ZINDABAD, Welocome back home to karachi.

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Naim

Apr 20, 2014 01:40am

@rasmingue: Indicted by a kangaroo court, world would not follow any orders of this court,for unaware people U.N has proof of PMLN meddling in the affairs of this kangaroo court,just a matter of time until it releases evidence for the world to see,PPP did their utmost best to issue a red warrant for the arrest of the great Musharraf through Interpol, response was politically motivated cases.Injustice for the world to see.

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sharouk

Apr 20, 2014 01:41am

@SUNNY: Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari and their cronies should be in jail for emptying out the Pakistani exchequer many times, and Nawaz Sharif should be tried for high treason for endangering the lives of over 300 people in 1999, when he refused to let Musharraf's plane land at Karachi airport. The Musharraf years were best for Pakistani economy and general well-being of Pakistanis. Musharraf should have let the Sharif brothers rot in jail. They don't even allow Musharraf to visit his ailing mother in Dubai. Shame on them. This is a totally demented government that has freed Taliban, who now won't extend the ceasefire. The Pakistan army should have bombed the Taliban into oblivion. In my opinion, Nawaz Sharif should be toppled. Pakistanis are so unhappy.

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mjk

Apr 20, 2014 01:46am

So civil authorities are spending millions to protect this tin-pot dictator. Hand him over to the army, let Khakis take care of him, he is their own, let them protect him.

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Asad!

Apr 20, 2014 03:57am

3,000 Rangers and police personnel Shameful, how is that justified? Please deploy these personnel to protect commoners who have no means to protect themselves, but pay huge indirect taxes day in day out!

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Humayun Habib

Apr 20, 2014 04:30am

Thank you tax payers and good luck. Wondering why a general gets all this while a b'''dy civilian and tax payer does not want to take his children to sarkari hospital and school by choice.

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Mustafa

Apr 20, 2014 05:59am

@Karachiwalla: "The culprit of high treason is not welcome in Karachi" It sounds like the "walla" in your name is used to mean owner.

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Apr 20, 2014 06:35am

So many pro-Musharraf comments. Where were all these arm chair warriors when he flew in from UK expecting a rousing welcome?

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Pragmatist

Apr 20, 2014 07:19am

Long Live, General Pervez Musharraf! He is the one good man our country got since Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan.

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Sayyar Khan

Apr 20, 2014 08:00am

@Syed S Shere: Not Urdu speaking gentleman But a Dictator who did everything for his own selfish self

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Danish

Apr 20, 2014 08:22am

@rahul: Rahul, please take "Aman Ki Asha" - Nawaz Sharif and we will give Zardari like Buy One Get One Free!

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Ahsan

Apr 20, 2014 10:08am

@Zafar Iqbal: I hope you were equally shamed or more and expressed this in public when this guy put undisputed hero of Pakistan, Dr AQ Khan Sahib on house arrest and the way he was treated for his service. I only make duaa that Allah Ta'ala does full justice with this man in this world and more soever in the Hereafter, ameen.

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sabeeh omer

Apr 20, 2014 10:46am

What a waste of tax payer's money! Who paid for the special chartered plane????

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Zak

Apr 20, 2014 10:58am

@Humayun Habib: Address that to Nawaz and Zardari who were PM and President with billions abroad.

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Zak

Apr 20, 2014 10:59am

@Shams Khan: We hope so.

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Zak

Apr 20, 2014 11:04am

@Sayyar Khan: Stop this rubbish, he is a Patriotic Pakistani, language does not matter. When our nation is under attack, the brave Pakistani soldiers defend and some are shaheed s, it is irrelevant what language they spoke but they died for our country.

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Ali

Apr 20, 2014 11:47am

@SUNNY: You on crazy Sunny?? He DID go to court, several times at that, even against bogus charges. Several charges against him have now been dismissed in court, but new charges have been brought on. Let go of your hate buddy, or you'll become just like your idol Nawaz.

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Rafi

Apr 20, 2014 12:27pm

@zak: Modi is already safe in India but look at our ex president. People laugh on this banana country

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Sayyar Khan

Apr 20, 2014 10:41pm

@Zak: Stop your rubbish and quit supporting dictators.

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faisal baloch

Apr 21, 2014 02:00am

@Ahsan: Open your vision man, Dr Qadeer is our hear, but he was wanted for selling technology that is under embargo, to some other countries, and the only way to protect him from being handover to USA, was to put him under house arrest, only for giving him a security. He committed a crime, was than pardoned by President Musharraf. Open your vision man

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anony

Apr 21, 2014 08:09pm

Welcome to Karachi, great patriot Gen. Musharraf. Praying for your health. You are a true hero and hope that your stay in Karachi is enjoyable.

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Ghani K

Apr 21, 2014 10:14pm

Why punish this tin-pot military dictator. Let him go, his memory will become part of dustbin of history. In his book, "In the line of fire" he shamelessly admitted that he handed over scores of suspected Alqaeda member to US, and country made millions. ! Ever heard of any head of state making such statement ? Same people he handed over to US, for 15 years they are rotting in Detainees Camp, Guantanamo. As yet No charges have been filed against them

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Muhammed Ali

Apr 22, 2014 02:59pm

@Karachiwalla: Your city your leaders, the state of Karachi has nothing to do with Musharraf, blame the PPP or the MQM...Musharraf is not a traitor, but then most Pakistanis would not know a good think if it hit them in the face!!

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