1999: Nawaz Sharif's government dismissed, Musharraf takes over
A collection of reports from the Dawn newspaper archives provide a day by day account of the military coup.
Dawn.com
Published
October 12, 2015
This piece was originally published on Oct 12, 2015.
124
Comments (124) Closed
Ahmed USA
Oct 12, 2015 11:23am
Well well and the rest is history... now back to square one... aren't we...
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AHA
Oct 12, 2015 11:24am
History repeats.....
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A true Fact
Oct 12, 2015 11:27am
The best thing that ever happened to pakistan..
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Befree
Oct 12, 2015 11:28am
Is there still any democracy in Pakistan?
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Sheena
Oct 12, 2015 11:28am
I wonder if that still haunt Mr. NS and become the biggest nightmare for him while people still missing Mr. Musharraf Era and again majority of eyes over Mr. Raheel Sharif.
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wassi
Oct 12, 2015 11:29am
Gen Musharraf took the right step for country, and now we need this step again ASAP
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JV
Oct 12, 2015 11:30am
Somebody owe sorry to the nation.....
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zeezoo
Oct 12, 2015 11:37am
Where is the commando hiding these days? yesterdays election result was a slap on his face.when people voted against his ex provincial minister aleem khan for Nawaz sharif
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DV
Oct 12, 2015 11:43am
history repeats itself but, quite fast in Pakistan..
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Nawabzada Taha Shabber
Oct 12, 2015 11:43am
The Golden Period.. the period in which dollar is at 60, the period in which middle class brought bikes in only 35k , the period in the pple dont come out to sold their children to get food.. the period in which the crime rate is down, the period in which poor can survive, the Period in which banking sector broke all records,
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SRIDHAR RAGHUNATHA RAO
Oct 12, 2015 11:45am
Sixteen years after this episode, I personally feel his era of ruling is not at all a regretting one although the way he came to rule is unacceptable for a the country of democratic setup.
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Skeptic
Oct 12, 2015 11:47am
After Zardari and Sharif back taking turns to ruin, i mean run the country, I think we should let Musharaff come back and take the country forward.
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Hindi
Oct 12, 2015 11:50am
Nothing new yet....
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Munib
Oct 12, 2015 11:52am
So India was releived after Musharraf take over and still there are some emotional fools who says that he was "Hard on India"
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Hasan
Oct 12, 2015 11:58am
@Ahmed USA True!
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Hasan
Oct 12, 2015 11:59am
@DV super fast !! :p
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Zara Chaudhry
Oct 12, 2015 12:04pm
Musharraf will soon come back (Y)
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Observer
Oct 12, 2015 12:04pm
better than so called democracy.
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AH
Oct 12, 2015 12:04pm
Did NS learn anything from the history?
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Human
Oct 12, 2015 12:10pm
what's new after that.....same condition is now also in pak. Now there is raheel sharif ...bad history
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Saad Siddiqui
Oct 12, 2015 12:19pm
Jiye Musharraf !
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Manzoor
Oct 12, 2015 12:26pm
Unless Musharaf is punished for his audacity to throw out an elected government, Pakistan will continue to live under the shadow of a gun.Civilian leaders should not play politics with one another to the extent the so called third force finds it easy to dethrone them altogether. Nawaz Sharief Zindabad. He is firmly back on the seat and Musharaff, with all his bravdo is at the mercy of the courts.
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saeed alam
Oct 12, 2015 12:27pm
democracy in pakistan is like a child who is not allowed to go school and then punished for poor grades
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Kashif Syed
Oct 12, 2015 12:27pm
Wish Musharraf was still in power. We miss him!
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Atif Khan
Oct 12, 2015 12:29pm
It was dark day for the country. This is why rule of law must prevail and those responsible coups, including Mushrraf, must be brought to justice.
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Talha Siddiqui
Oct 12, 2015 12:29pm
@Zara Chaudhry I hope so, the young generation of the country is truely missing his reign.
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OSD
Oct 12, 2015 12:32pm
Feels like all of this went by just yesterday. But all of that happened, happened.. Now we have to move forward..
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RA
Oct 12, 2015 12:33pm
The best era of Pakistan I can say. Real democracy was shown with strengthen the economic pillars, reducing country depth and enhancing job opportunities.
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Pak Khan
Oct 12, 2015 12:39pm
Has high hopes in Musharraf, but he too turned out to be a power man.
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nazem
Oct 12, 2015 12:42pm
not a bad army general..good luck to him in future coming future days.
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naji
Oct 12, 2015 01:06pm
That 8-9 years of Musharaf were Golden era of Pakistan history, democracy was there, press was become independent, Nawaz and PPP looters assembly members were resting at home or abroad. Economy was strong, $ was stable according to Pak Rupee. Prices of most of the items were stable. I am watching at least 10 Sindhi channels in Karachi, ppp government can not even think for this. See the current assemblies, all old crook are making their own bright future.
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Secular Pathan
Oct 12, 2015 01:10pm
. Very unfortunate. Democracy must be strengthened and I mean real democracy not our politician's business that they call democracy.
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naji
Oct 12, 2015 01:12pm
Public representative PM Nawaz can not talk to world leader with confidence, he can not talk to even Chines leader. He is comfortable with Middle Eastern, Bhutan, Azerbaijan, or Maldive leaders. If a PM has no confidence how he can defend his country? 5 years of ppp government damage this country well.
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Salman
Oct 12, 2015 01:13pm
V dont deserve democracy. So called democratic leaders have ruined the country to their best. Wat President Musharaf did and wat General Raheel Sharif is doing is in the best interest of the country.
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Indian
Oct 12, 2015 01:16pm
and After 16 years India is still unsure what is happening in Pakistan..
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Jazib
Oct 12, 2015 01:38pm
What a time to live in!
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AV Houston
Oct 12, 2015 01:45pm
@Kashif Syed we all do sir
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Abuhassan
Oct 12, 2015 01:51pm
An other black bay in Pakistan, though military still rules.
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Niaz
Oct 12, 2015 02:00pm
Is NS bearing himself for another? He hasn't learnt anything from history.
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Nadeem
Oct 12, 2015 02:17pm
And so began the 9 year rule of Saviour #4.
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Changez_Khan
Oct 12, 2015 02:20pm
Musharraf a great General and a great President.
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Manan
Oct 12, 2015 02:26pm
What a turn around of events for NS and how lucky he is. This day 12 Oct he was behind bars and now he is in power
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OBAID
Oct 12, 2015 02:52pm
Good old days!
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Amir
Oct 12, 2015 03:11pm
Waiting for this to happen again ASAP!
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sab
Oct 12, 2015 03:23pm
MNS and his co haven't learnt any lesson. They are looting more and their incompetence is touching staggering heights. Should we allow them to go on for full five years or.............
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Hasan
Oct 12, 2015 03:25pm
@Indian
"and After 16 years India is still unsure what is happening in Pakistan.."
And after 68 years nobody in Pakistan cares about the opinion across the border.
Hasan
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Muhammed Ali
Oct 12, 2015 03:40pm
There never was any democracy in Pakistan there is non now and it looks very unlikely in the future... parties need to have sincere democracy in their parties before they can give it to the masses.
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Thush
Oct 12, 2015 03:43pm
@Hasan, After 68 years, what does it say about your thinking capacity then??
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Intelektual
Oct 12, 2015 04:04pm
Ahh the good old days .. the best thing to happen in recent history.. Miss Musharraf Sir..
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SEADORFF
Oct 12, 2015 04:12pm
DEMOCRACY is a western virus . Pakistan has strong safeguards against it by way of MILITARY Rule !!!
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Zi
Oct 12, 2015 04:19pm
Most democratic era of Pakasitan. Unfortunately the same corrupt people are back in the government and conditions are even worst. That tells you how Pakistani politics work.
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Ahmad Ismail
Oct 12, 2015 04:30pm
@saeed alam perfect analogy (Y)
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Acerfan
Oct 12, 2015 04:31pm
I would much rather have a corrupt but elected PM than an honest military usurper. There is no way forward through military rule. We love and respect our armed forces as long as they stay out of politics. Pakistan zindabad.
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Gaz
Oct 12, 2015 04:33pm
Followed by 9 years of economic growth averaging close to 9% something the Democrats have still not achieved for a single year. Don't believe me go and research it.
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Gaz
Oct 12, 2015 04:40pm
@SEADORFF you are totally wrong Democracy is the best system in the world as long as the population is educated and intelligent to hold the leaders to account. If the population is iliterate and treats it like a sport where they support one team no matter how corrupt and useless they are then yes its the worst system.
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Avijit Roy
Oct 12, 2015 04:46pm
I remember I was then staying abroad. My Gora friends were astonished that a military coup could still happen in the modern world, since they thought it was a thing of past. But they were more astonished when they found some local Pakistanis were supportive of the coup. Under this column, I still find many Pakistanis commenting in support of the Coup.
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Human
Oct 12, 2015 04:47pm
Musharraf Sir please come back .
we miss the golden era of Pakistan while you were heading this country
Come back sir
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Iftikhar Husain
Oct 12, 2015 04:49pm
Good reminder one important news is missing is the cause of the take over and the high jacking of the plane with so many lives at stake. This can happen in a country like Pakistan.
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shan
Oct 12, 2015 04:58pm
behind the scenes military is still in power. musharaff disturbed the balance of democracy in pakistan
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Jugal Kishore Sharma
Oct 12, 2015 05:11pm
When National TV of Pakistan was airy speech See him well dressed in Military uniform, Proper gun, But Hurley speeches on Accountability, and to more adherence with Rule of Law because coups d'état varies behind this revolt against democracy. Elected Govt of Sheirt wipe out and store behind bars, Each and Every citizen could watch may like enemies but Soldier of Pak vide acute power ceremony.
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Jugal Kishore Sharma
Oct 12, 2015 05:12pm
When my craziness with Dictatorship and Dictator dreams thrives in teen age think binds with each and every problem solve these typed Hyper. Corruption,Maladministration and Poverty throng all over in South Continental spread. So that could happen in my mindset, News broken then cracker sound all over in my body. That is First event of my Thought and big successions my view. I was proudly peaches in circle and right array these action. Yeah, his speech around 6.pm around I am ete the news with hungry eyes stand on Pandora Box. His words till reminiscent my Mind that begins From '' Corruption in seed in Police station and Banyan Tree became in Judiciary. He says that seed would be roast on. crime would be wipe out in Pakistan Society. A travel goes through Karachi Air Port to his residence all over bribe seeker authorizes. Long term tenure scatter democracy was seem, Neither He was incompetent dictator nor have time limit.
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Cyrus
Oct 12, 2015 05:20pm
Pakistan had its best years under Musharraf. This man was sincere but but the looters and their cunning ways did finally outwit him.
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khanm
Oct 12, 2015 05:24pm
@AH Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
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khanm
Oct 12, 2015 05:25pm
@Ahmed USA ...History will be unkind to us if we intend to write it.
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khanm
Oct 12, 2015 05:26pm
@Befree ....Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.
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SEADORFF
Oct 12, 2015 05:27pm
@Gaz In India most of the population is illiterate , and living in villages , even than Democracy is going strong. BTW my comment was with reference to Pakistan !!
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khanm
Oct 12, 2015 05:28pm
@JV The future rewards those who press on. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have time to complain. I'm going to press on.
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khanm
Oct 12, 2015 05:31pm
@saeed alam At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents.in case of democracy it requires positive/ active involvement of people
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khanm
Oct 12, 2015 05:33pm
@Kashif Syed if a person who could do any thing then while in power what would he do now...
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AXH
Oct 12, 2015 05:34pm
@Iftikhar Husain - You have rightly pointed out the root cause of the takeover that Dawn completely missed. Nawaz tried to stop Musharraf's plane from landing in Pakistan which was on its way back from Sri Lanka. It was Nawaz who committed treason and not Musharraf.
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Aleem
Oct 12, 2015 05:39pm
The best times were under the rule of Musharraf from 2000 until 2005.
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Mahmood
Oct 12, 2015 05:44pm
No matter what label we put on the government - PMLN, PPP, etc, Democracy etc... We all know the real power in Pakistan is the Pak Army and no one can rule without a nod from the Chief of Staff of the Army.
Why do you think NS meets with Gen. Raheel so often? He's reminded frequently not to step out of line, and who holds the power strings.
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M. Hafeez ur Rahman, Jubail, KSA
Oct 12, 2015 06:04pm
Corruption has become a part and parcel in our high echelon and Gen Musharaf was no exception. We got huge national and international aid during terrible earthquake of 2005. Gen Musharaf and his croney Gen Farooq were the only recipients of this aid. But where has it gone? If it was properly used, we could have totally new and full of all amenities cities of Muzaffarabad, Balakot, Kotli and so on. In the start his aims could be high, but later on he indulged in dirty politics. I strongly condemn those who want his comeback. Let the country be run by politicians. We claim Zardari and Nawaz as corrupt ones. But time will wipe them out and new, educated and qualified leadership will come forward to run the show.
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Iqbal khan
Oct 12, 2015 06:05pm
I am just waiting for history to repeat itself.
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Usman
Oct 12, 2015 06:10pm
A disastrous day in Pakistan's history!
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Asif
Oct 12, 2015 06:15pm
Musharraf Saheb we want you back!!!!
You are an honest politician.
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M2M
Oct 12, 2015 06:20pm
Poor comments by most literate people of Pakistan. Surprising they all support military rule not democracy and they don't want democracy to flourish in Pakistan.
Musharraf's economy was based on war in Afghanistan and not because of his economic policies. Afghanistan's economy flourished in that time also where no one knows what economy is. Surprisingly Pakistanis have become addicts to military rule and they don't have vision how military rule damages the whole system of governance and ultimately brings a country to full collapse!
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JHK
Oct 12, 2015 06:32pm
Politicians especially sharifs and bhuttos and zardari are like leeches / parasites who will never stop sucking Pakistan-- as long as they live.
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Shahid Akbar, New York
Oct 12, 2015 06:35pm
General Saheb is a role model.
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ayub
Oct 12, 2015 06:39pm
True democracy can only be established we remove the wide gap of social imbalance. In Pakistan, politics is the domain of billionaires and goons. The ordinary man has no option but to unwillingly select one amongst them. Unless drastic economic reforms are introduced with land reforms politics in our country, no true democracy can come in our country.
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Abdul Karim
Oct 12, 2015 07:23pm
Seems our Pakistani mindset is not ready for democracy. We will always moan about it. But the moment a dictator takes over we rejoice. No matter how bad the outcome, we will say it was better off than an elected government. Mind you, every institution here is as corrupt as the other one. The sooner we realise, the better it is for us, our country and the future generations. Just saying.
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syed
Oct 12, 2015 07:45pm
What a beautiful day it was
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syed
Oct 12, 2015 07:46pm
@Nawabzada Taha Shabber you have just stole my words
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syed
Oct 12, 2015 07:48pm
@Atif Khan what darkest day you are talking about ? it was best time we have ever seen , get you fact s right look at the dollar rate in Musharraf Era
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Prateek
Oct 12, 2015 07:59pm
jamhuriat may not be perfect but is certainly the best form of government.
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Bupi
Oct 12, 2015 08:06pm
Sad day for Pakistan.
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Pragmatist
Oct 12, 2015 08:15pm
Great times for Pakistan under the leadership of Musharraf.
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51drew
Oct 12, 2015 08:18pm
@Zara Chaudhry he never left
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Rick_james
Oct 12, 2015 08:31pm
One of the best days of Pakistan's history.
Long live Pak Army and General Musharraf.
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H Chaudhry
Oct 12, 2015 08:37pm
And the Truth won in 2013, NS became PM and the so called military rulers with ZERO following is irrelevent.
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Sasimann
Oct 12, 2015 08:47pm
Those who forget history are condemned to see it repeated.
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A. Ali
Oct 12, 2015 08:48pm
for some reasons, I have a feeling...
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Sudhir Neyalasinger
Oct 12, 2015 09:05pm
@Manzoor The problem in Pakistan is that you have an electorate that supports military dictatorship. You still have some time to go before you get to a stage where India is. I am not saying we are a democracy that can be compared to the US. But we are evolving and we will get there some day. Pakistan's evolution, if it happens, will be longer and more painful.
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Bilal
Oct 12, 2015 09:09pm
Honestly, under Musharraf, Pakistan was stable. I still remember the rupee held constant value and got to 60's and stayed until Zardari came and all economic hell broke loose. The truth is that every new leader makes money as the west dictates them and the people of Pakistan suffer. If only there was peace and other powers stayed the hell out of our politics then and then we can see real stride.
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Gaz
Oct 12, 2015 09:16pm
@M2M wow so war in Afghanistan made the Pakistani economy strong. Why don't you study the date like I have from Trading economics and WHO. Musharaf put the best people in charge and was a a confident speaker himself that's all leadership is about. We have a leader now with no confidence to speak and puts family members in every position . I love democracy and I was born and raised in a western democracy but Pakistanis don't understand democracies they vote for crooks and then boast about how much of a gangster the politician they support is. The people in Pakistan are not doing the job of a voter.
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azkhan71
Oct 12, 2015 09:49pm
Can we have a history repeat itself once again for the nation with Gen. Raheel!!
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Lucky Star
Oct 12, 2015 11:41pm
@Nawabzada Taha Shabber
When I left the country dollar was 20 rupees, so you think dollar for 60 was good a thing. Don't you feel shame calling yourself Nawabzada because they are the Nawabs who looted the pure land of ours and because of your defection from the center India was enslaved by the East India company.
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Khan
Oct 12, 2015 11:42pm
Electricity shortage and terrorism are the gift of Musharraf era. Bangladesh was the gift of Yahya and Ayub's flawed policies. And Zia's legacy ....... everyone knows.
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Dabangg
Oct 13, 2015 12:32am
@saeed alam Nice comment.
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Bin Adam
Oct 13, 2015 01:55am
Overwhelming majority Pakistani nation within the Country and abroad, from Punjab, Sindh, then NWFP and Balochistsn having suffered for a long time at the hands of politicians, had equally welcomed General Musharraf by hearts and souls. More especially people of the greatest revenue generating City, Karachi, having lived for many years as helpless hostage of terror, extortion, target killings and 7/24 fear and intimidation took the Military Dictator as their would be savior who will get them back their old days of peace and freedom. The Nation at large took him as a true Reformer. But instead of freeing the long hostaged people of Karachi Musharraf for the convenience of perpetuation of his dictatorship forming alliance with the tormentors and hostage takers gave them free hands with total immunity to play hell with Karachities at all level? And formed his first Govt with many same well know corrupt politicians including those already facing Court indictments for colossal frauds.
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aman
Oct 13, 2015 04:30am
No democracy in Pakistan, only Loot-khsoot is in pakistan
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Syed GM
Oct 14, 2015 02:20am
Except for creating and losing the Kargil war and turning the business of war in a money earner from the Americans, what has Musharraf done. He should be behind bars for subverting democracy.
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Sri
Oct 14, 2015 11:42am
I guess democracy is not suitable for all countries and people.
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Truly speaking
Oct 14, 2015 02:03pm
He is responsible for the present situation of Pakistan
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Hamza
Oct 14, 2015 02:50pm
@Acerfan It was not a military rule. There was no martial law at all.
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Kashif Ali
Oct 14, 2015 04:32pm
Musharraf a great General, a great President and a Patriotic Citizen.
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Wahab
Oct 12, 2018 12:34pm
In Musharraf time when we graduated, More than half of class got jobs during open house and on campus interviews.
Alas now time is much different for our young graduates.
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boby
Oct 12, 2018 01:15pm
Another BLACK chapter in history of Pakistan ruled by a dictator.
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SAB
Oct 12, 2018 02:43pm
IN all 1999 we thought the days of military coups are behind us.
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Hassan
Oct 12, 2018 02:59pm
Each government have number of culprits members(MNA, MPA, Ex MNA, Ex. MPA)....If the ruling government take strict action against his own party culprits + opposition culprits then we can say government is loyal and not party baised....
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Sushil
Oct 12, 2018 04:07pm
Time changes and so governance. It may be be beneficial for that time.
King's / dictator's rule may be required, when corruption is widespread in democracy. One man rule in iron hand for few years is required.
It may be cyclic.
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ZAK
Oct 12, 2018 04:34pm
Mushruff was smart, he tried to appease India right after he took over the control from nawaz.
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Najum
Oct 12, 2018 04:55pm
Nothing changed since 1999. Back to old kent road.
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Shah Naz
Oct 12, 2018 05:43pm
@A true Fact how so?
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HonorBright
Oct 12, 2018 06:11pm
Army is great (in numbers, greater still in might) so they are right..
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Ashaq Akhtar
Oct 12, 2018 07:08pm
Musharraf's friends in federal cabinet, fawad sheds a and so on.
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Ali khan
Oct 12, 2018 07:31pm
There is no denying the fact that Pakistan saw great economic progress, on all fronts, during Gen. Musharraf’s era. The progress reached across societal segments from the very poor to the wealthy, as it should be. Anyone who challenges facts on idiological or idiotic reasons needs to take a cold water bath and see the light
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Syed Amin
Oct 12, 2018 07:46pm
Black day for Pakistan. I wish should never come back.
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MAkram
Oct 12, 2018 10:03pm
This was the best thing that ever happened to pakistan. Most Pakistani support Musharraf.
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GA Man
Oct 12, 2018 10:14pm
To the people who cry out about democracy in Pakistan, what has democracy given your country so far? Stop crying about the democracy and wake up before the time runs out. If you stop being bias for a minute, it's a fact that Pakistan did much better in Musharraf's era. Some keyboard warriors are bashing and blaming him here, but the truth is their ten generations will not able to accomplish what this man accomplished in his life. We have good hopes from Khan and wish him best of luck. If Khan fails to bring any changes to the country, then you sure don't want any one of the other two political parties back in power. Smart people should understand what those other two political parties I mean here.
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NK
Oct 12, 2018 11:42pm
I have NO regrets on his rule. Mistakes do happens! His era was was the most I enjoyed in my life of 56 yrs. about my country.
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Salman
Oct 13, 2018 12:15am
I pray that Musharraf is brought to justice like the Sharif's for breaking the law in this country.
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Real salaria
Oct 13, 2018 07:48am
Dark day!
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Naim
Oct 13, 2018 11:30am
If only Musharraf had remained at the helm of Pakistan, country would have surely fully prospered without a doubt, vast majority people of Pakistan were fooled by the corrupt democracy politicians of making Pakistan prosper, instead they made the country sink to the Point of no return.
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