‘Musharraf harmed Kashmir cause most’

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

LAHORE: Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said on Saturday former military dictator Pervez Musharraf had harmed the Kashmir cause the most.

Talking to the media here, he said everyone knew that Kashmir was the real and major issue between India and Pakistan.

He said the Kashmir issue would have been solved by now and Pakistan would not be facing energy crisis and terrorism today had Musharraf not overturned a democratic government in 1999.

He said the ‘political party of Aabpara’ (a reference to the headquarters of an agency in Islamabad’s Aabpara intersection) had vanished.

“Where is the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) formed by Musharraf?” he asked.

The minister said operation in Karachi against militants was started after a unanimous agreement.

He denied reports that the Sindh government was not cooperating in the Karachi operation. He told a questioner that PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari was a Pakistani and had every right to return and live in the country.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Pakistan

Sindh schools to close from March 16-31, Friday to be WFH for govt offices as part of austerity measures

In letter to Mojtaba Khamenei, PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to continue to work ‘closely’ with Iran

Official sources dismiss reports of Pakistan sending delegation to Kabul for talks with Afghan Taliban

Zak

Jul 12, 2015 09:34am

Kashmir is only a symptom , disease lies underneath.

Recommend 0

Jul 12, 2015 09:48am

BLAME MUSHARAF FOR EVERY THING - COUNTRY WAS WELL OFF ON DURING MUSHARAF

Recommend 0

SachBol

Jul 12, 2015 09:49am

These stooges always bring back Musharraf's name whenever there parties or leaders are in trouble, just as NAB announced that it will probe political elites with corruption and loan default charges.

Recommend 0

Seemi

Jul 12, 2015 09:51am

Please lets live in the present.

Recommend 0

Kfclvr

Jul 12, 2015 09:59am

Finally the truth has emerged after all these years of denial

Recommend 0

Satt

Jul 12, 2015 10:09am

Wow good excuse,that's how they play with emotion's of people that you don't have electricity and water because we don't have Kashmir and we won't solve your terrorism because we don't have Kashmir.Amazing.

Recommend 0

farhan

Jul 12, 2015 10:23am

Musharraf era was gone in 2008.Now it is 2015, Pervez Rasheed when will you stop blame game which has no worth at all

Recommend 0

Danish

Jul 12, 2015 10:26am

For Musharraf, its always.. Pakistan first. He talks about ground reality. He talks about logic, facts and numbers. Kashmir issue is for politicians.

Recommend 0

Jul 12, 2015 10:27am

@Zak Who caused the disease?

Recommend 0

MohiniKutir

Jul 12, 2015 10:39am

"Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said on Saturday former military dictator Pervez Musharraf had harmed the Kashmir cause the most." Please explain how - otherwise it is just an opinion and NOT very helpful.

Recommend 0

Ahmed USA

Jul 12, 2015 10:45am

UN resolutions on Kashmir must be respected...

Recommend 0

zafar iqbal

Jul 12, 2015 10:48am

Mr. Parvaiz Rashid should give us some facts and figures as to how his government is better than Gen Musharraf,s ? When did PMLN ever managed to get the Indians round the table to talk about Kashmir. Gen. Musharraf, at least, made them admit on record that Kashmir is the main issue between us!!! Lets see if you can get anywhere near that.

Recommend 0

Abhishek Tomar

Jul 12, 2015 10:55am

But what i knew was that Musharaff regime was more close to end up the conflict...

Recommend 0

Sal

Jul 12, 2015 11:11am

You have a democratic govt. for almost 8 years and still blaming Gen. Musharraf.

Recommend 0

Mumtaz

Jul 12, 2015 11:36am

Musharraf tenure was 1000 times better than so called democratic setup.

Recommend 0

Jason

Jul 12, 2015 11:38am

While Pakistan probably prospered under Musharraf, her international relations suffered during those years. Musharraf did not have the foresight that leaders need. He was more interested in getting the support of the masses using rhetorics rather than focusing on long term growth. His biggest failure was definitely the Kargil intrusion that only earned him the international ridicule

Recommend 0

Yousuf Zond

Jul 12, 2015 11:38am

@MB I agree 100% with your comments.

Recommend 0

MOHAMMAD

Jul 12, 2015 11:38am

When you have nothing to say.... put it to Musharraf...

Recommend 0

Fahim Khan

Jul 12, 2015 11:53am

Do you have any solution to any of the problems? Wake up.....you are now ruling this country!

Recommend 0

Jul 12, 2015 12:05pm

@MB sure it was temporary lightening during Musharraf's area for short term but below it no one saw the darkness , which is the long term negative affects of his policies and unwanted adventure in Kargill.

Recommend 0

Pragmatic

Jul 12, 2015 12:34pm

I guess we as a country like being rule by dictators than electing our own rulers. One thing all dictators make sure first is, positive media coverage during their rule. Elected governments can't control media to that extent. So they end up looking bad compared to dictators.

Recommend 0

Kamal Pasha

Jul 12, 2015 12:38pm

PML(N) will always blame Musharraf for all their failures. They have done nothing for the country so far except lootings. To distract the public, time and again they blame the honest person the country had.

Recommend 0

Saad

Jul 12, 2015 12:44pm

Pakistan was much better during Musharraf...I wish that time come back again...

Recommend 0

mustafa

Jul 12, 2015 01:03pm

Stop blame game, Musharaf departed in 2008, its 7 years now.Whats you guys have done.

Recommend 0

Nasiroski

Jul 12, 2015 01:09pm

When caught red handed blame someone else. Best part is he is not absolving his government, when he says "Musharraf did the most" he is admitting that his government did damage it too.

Recommend 0

Abdulla Hussain

Jul 12, 2015 01:40pm

This has become a national political habit to criticize the previous or Ex leaders. Pervaiz Musharraf can still boost of many goodies of his time, like dollar's price, low inflation, better law & order situation etc, etc.

Recommend 0

Dr Sparta

Jul 12, 2015 01:45pm

All the leaders harmed and misguided the Pak people.

Recommend 0

KeyPoints

Jul 12, 2015 01:47pm

Whatever Musharraf did is history. Tel us what your current government has done for kashmir cause? Probably Zero?

Recommend 0

Aftab Alam Khan

Jul 12, 2015 01:51pm

Mr Pervaiz Rashid, please go through the above mentioned comments and get back your statement given against Pervez Musharraf.

Recommend 0

Qazi, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Jul 12, 2015 01:51pm

I suggest to Pervaiz Rasheed talk to public with truth and honesty. What is happening now, during Zardari and prior to Musharraf are tangible proofs for wrong doings which led country to collapse. Stop pointing fingers to irrelevant people and look under your nose. Only corrupt people will support Zardari and Nawaz brothers.

Recommend 0

SRIDHAR RAGHUNATHA RAO

Jul 12, 2015 01:52pm

But, as per eminent Indian Jurist Sh Ram Jethmalani, the solution offered by President Musharraf was most pragmatic and India missed the opportunity of finding lasting peace in Kashmir. It may be worthwhile to recall a resolution was just short of announcing during Musharraf Vajpayee meeting at Agra, India. It is also my personal opinion that Musharraf is a clever politician and I admire his capabilities.

Recommend 0

Fakhr

Jul 12, 2015 02:02pm

Things were much much better in those days then now

Recommend 0

Tahir A

Jul 12, 2015 02:13pm

And Sir, what has been your contribution on this subject or on anything else?

Recommend 0

Asim Rizvi

Jul 12, 2015 02:17pm

Such a shameless statement by Mr. Pervez Rasheed.

Recommend 0

canpakman

Jul 12, 2015 02:24pm

So far Noon League unable to understand that Musharaf was the reason that Kasmir issue resolution was closest ever between India and Pak. Noon league desperately need some academics who can teach them basic understanding of politics but not loota politics.

Recommend 0

Dilawar Khan

Jul 12, 2015 02:33pm

stop blaming a true leader please. he's done a lot for well being of peoples of Pakistan..

Recommend 0

Asim

Jul 12, 2015 02:52pm

Blame game guy... what has Nawaz done during Nawaz-Modi meeting is ever the most disgusting thing. Just to cry over the coward attitude of political leadership...

Recommend 0

Arslan

Jul 12, 2015 02:59pm

So the minister says Nawaz is incapable to undo what Musharaff did? That's plain admittance of incompetence.

Recommend 0

Arslan

Jul 12, 2015 03:01pm

@Pragmatic you forget that Musharaff gave us free media, not a single democratic government ever wanted or worked to free media.

Recommend 0

sid

Jul 12, 2015 03:18pm

So that's why Musharraf was the only one to come closest to a historic agreement. These people making such comments are fools.

Recommend 0

Irfan

Jul 12, 2015 03:20pm

Yes he is right. But let's admit that you made it worse.

Recommend 0

dv 1936

Jul 12, 2015 03:28pm

Kashmir is a problem created by the British while leaving India. During their raj their policy was 'divide and rule'. When they realized that they could no longer rule India they changed it to 'divide and ruin'. Both India and Pakistan are victims of it. They are wasting all their resources fighting for Kashmir. It is time to decide that issue once for all and stop unnecessary fighting. This nonsense needs a strong political stand by both countries. It is no use blaming this or that, face the truth.

Recommend 0

Atti

Jul 12, 2015 03:35pm

only nawaz sharif could solve kashmir issue with his iron friend china

Recommend 0

Zak

Jul 12, 2015 03:38pm

@Zak Kashmiris themselves created this disease by remaining confused

Recommend 0

hussain684

Jul 12, 2015 03:40pm

Kashmir issue was almost solved when Kargil was taken over. It is NS who retreated and thus the issue keeps lingering

Recommend 0

mjk

Jul 12, 2015 04:20pm

Pervez Rashid , you should thank Musharraf , he issued NRO and your boss came back.

Recommend 0

TechnoKraft

Jul 12, 2015 04:34pm

So is that an excuse for harming the Kashmir cause? Unbelievable

Recommend 0

Basit

Jul 12, 2015 04:37pm

Pervez Rasheed is the most non serious politician in the history of politics all he does is just talks and blame others

Recommend 0

Doniya

Jul 12, 2015 04:47pm

Mr.Rashid thinks India would have nicely given their occupied Kashmir to Pakistan which they are occupying for last 68 years, If Musharraf hadn't invaded them during 1999. wishful thinking Mr. Rashid now keep your mouth silence please your embarrassing normal Pakistani people.

Recommend 0

Hassan zaman

Jul 12, 2015 04:51pm

come one .....don't u feel ashamed of your statements ?

Recommend 0

Men of crises

Jul 12, 2015 05:00pm

They have still not forgotton the Musharraf.

Recommend 0

Indian 1

Jul 12, 2015 05:03pm

A coward and illiterate people need a dectatore to rule.

Recommend 0

zak

Jul 12, 2015 05:12pm

The whole world knows Kashmir is the root cause of problem and conflict in South Asia and a zone of possible catastrophic consequences, should India not mend its ways. Musharaf convinced the Indians for a way forward, but extremists in Indian government and Indian army scuttled it. Nawaz did not even get a mention of it in the joint declaration in UFA. Dont try and deflect Nawaz's incompetence by dragging President Musharaf in to it. You will be judged by the public.

Recommend 0

zak

Jul 12, 2015 05:13pm

@pk India caused the disease and by living in the land of Don Quixote and not living in the real world.

Recommend 0

Pak Patriot

Jul 12, 2015 05:13pm

Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, what is more important to you ? Kashmir or a secure Pakistan ???

Recommend 0

Khalid

Jul 12, 2015 05:23pm

@SRIDHAR RAGHUNATHA RAO Brother Sridhar, I couldn't agree more with you. He certainly was the best we had. Unfortunately, the corrupt businessmen are back in power in Pakistan and unless it is a business opportunity for them, they would not move forward.

Recommend 0

Mohammed Rahmatullah

Jul 12, 2015 05:24pm

@SRIDHAR RAGHUNATHA RAO . Pakistanis staying inside and mostly outside of Pakistan agree with you, Sir, 100%. I personally thank you for you comments.

Recommend 0

Mohammed Rahmatullah

Jul 12, 2015 05:30pm

@Pragmatic . Pakistanis are not so fools to believe on any media's news or any so-called politcians remarks.

Recommend 0

Asif

Jul 12, 2015 05:33pm

When ever he and Minister Saad Rafique speaks causes more harm to his party than help.

Recommend 0

Alibaba

Jul 12, 2015 05:36pm

Mushruff was able to use 9 11 in his favor to attract foreign currency.

Recommend 0

Jul 12, 2015 05:47pm

@Ahmed USA whether you read the UN resolution completely...??!

Recommend 0

Ali

Jul 12, 2015 06:41pm

And you are harming Pakistan the most!!!

Recommend 0

Zainab

Jul 12, 2015 06:42pm

@Ahmed USA We have been singing this song for the last 60 years, and where have we gone. When are we going to face reality? Let us stop dreaming and get on with solving real issues that face Pakistan. Just look how far India has progressed and where we are today.

Recommend 0

Zainab

Jul 12, 2015 06:45pm

@Hassan zaman If feeling ashamed was the criteria, none of these leaders will be in power.

Recommend 0

George

Jul 12, 2015 06:58pm

@Mumtaz you're 1000 times correct

Recommend 0

Naeem Syed

Jul 12, 2015 07:15pm

Musharraf needs to come back, the Country needs him but this time he should not be blackmailed by our so called friend , the Super Power into letting these crooks back into the country once the are gone with their ill gotten wealth. The Zaradari's and the Sharif's and their gang members have to give back the wealth or face the ultimate punishment. Money or life is the choice they should face. This only Musharraf can do.

Recommend 0

papuni

Jul 12, 2015 07:20pm

musharraf era was the best ...for kashmir the UN resolutions must be respected

Recommend 0

taimoor khan

Jul 12, 2015 07:31pm

@Zak @zak , Please decide among yourselves who caused the disease, then we will move further.

Recommend 0

Vijay

Jul 12, 2015 08:02pm

The only way to solve Kashmir issue is making LOC a permanent boundary.

Recommend 0

Nasir

Jul 12, 2015 08:16pm

During Musharraf era Pakistan was recognized and respected in the world. Pakistani economy was good, common public was happy, corruption was minimal. On the other hand, current government can' even provide the basic necessities such as water and electric. Thanks to China, if they haven't decided to invest in Pakistan then the Nawaz government would not have anything to show. And the most interesting thing is that these investment ideas were given to China by Musharraf.

Recommend 0

Euro

Jul 12, 2015 08:22pm

No one harmed Kashmir then pur inept politicians who looted billions of dollars from Pakistan. So Musharraf may or may not have harmed Kashmir, but one thing is beyond dispute: politicians harmed Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Jul 12, 2015 08:43pm

why information minister is not talking about k-electric problem, education system problem, scam on metro buses, orange line scam...?? always creating division with minds of innocent people of pakistan as well as in india...??

Recommend 0

Jul 12, 2015 08:44pm

@Vijay well said...!!!

Recommend 0

real Zak

Jul 12, 2015 08:57pm

@taimoor khan who will take it further Nawaz sharif who didn't even said any word about Kashmir and Pervez Rasheed blaming Musharraf what a disrespect in the world

Recommend 0

Azam Khan

Jul 12, 2015 08:59pm

@Jason, that is a baseless & senseless assessment. Kargil was not a failure it was a great success. You seem to be living in a fools paradise. The kind of acceptance and popularity Musharaf got internationally, during his tenure (after Ayub Khan) no one has ever been able to come even close. Musharaf was paid 200,000 plus for his single lecture. Can you show me anyone from the subcontinent who could match this.

Recommend 0

zeeshan

Jul 12, 2015 09:23pm

He is talking as if he liberated kashmir

Recommend 0

M.Saeed

Jul 12, 2015 10:01pm

Nobody harmed Kashmir cause more than the entire lot of self-defeating Chairmen of the Kashmir Committee since its inception.

Recommend 0

Sankara

Jul 12, 2015 10:43pm

@dv 1936 May I go one extreme step further? Is it not time for India, Pakistan and a few other coutries to form a united entity like European Union, calling something like USEAN (Union of south east Asian Nations)? They can plan to have a composite government, common currency, common economic and political agenda? Look at the amount of resources that will be saved and can potentially be diverted for the good of the common man.

Recommend 0

shair khan

Jul 12, 2015 10:49pm

Musharraf tenure was 1000 times better than the current era of clowns.

Recommend 0

LETTRUTHPREVAIL

Jul 12, 2015 11:35pm

PMLN is still using Anti Musharaf propoganda to cover up their failure to address the real problems the country is facing.

Recommend 0

Raja Parekh

Jul 13, 2015 12:06pm

@Vijay This requires political will power from both the sides.

Recommend 0

Zak

Jul 13, 2015 12:10pm

@Jason kargil earned him respect and his patriotic badge. He took up the fight for kashmiris under indian occupation.

Recommend 0

Salim

Jul 13, 2015 12:12pm

@Zak the only way to undo the confusion, is UN plebiscite. We will know where they stand. Indian occupation will end and kashmiris will be free.

Recommend 0

Rakesh

Jul 13, 2015 04:06pm

I really do not understand these politicians be it pakistani or indian.they have got very bad habit of shifting sides and their tongue.can somebody tell me that if kashmir issue is resolved,then there will peace and prosperity all around in pakistan.political leaders are just using this issue to cook their own food

Recommend 0

adnan

Jul 13, 2015 04:38pm

we all know the only reason you are still in government this time around is because you learnt to accept the carrot whole heartedly instead of the stick.. now stop trying to play macho macho.. it is crystal clear that you will do anything for power....

Recommend 0

Adnan Fayyaz

Jul 13, 2015 05:35pm

I really dont like this guy, and his Government, but I have to agree with this man, on what he said. Musharraf literally destroyed our very valid case on Kashmir, with his mis-adventure in Kargil. Just when the political class was reaching a breakthrough deal in Lahore, this Musharraf comes along and spoils the air. After this incident the West and the world at large, started treating us as a irresponsible state..

Recommend 0

M Jamal

Jul 13, 2015 08:24pm

Musharraf is an honest and sincere man whereas these so called politicians including information minister have ruined Pakistan and the entire nation is paying the price of their corrupt activities.

Recommend 0

holysmoke

Jul 13, 2015 11:09pm

@Arslan : Musharraf also blamed women who alleged rape that they were using it to find refuge in the West! So, to him, rape was an immigration queue jumping scam!

Recommend 0

vic

Jul 13, 2015 11:33pm

Lot of people here say, ohh Musharraf is sincere or economy was good or he is patriot. Well, all those things may be true (or not) is a separate discussion. Did he harmed Kashmir cause or not ? He is military man and lacks the skills of a politician. Unnecessary bravado does not help in some situations one has to be a visionary and leader to solve complex problems. Musharraf may be sincere and brave a soldier but he s definitely not a transformational leader. He will always be remembered as a mastermind of Kargil and dictatorship and nothing else.

Recommend 0