The spark of tensions never dies on the frontiers of the countries involved in decade long disputes over territories and is always surrounded with animosity and suspicion. The feelings are almost reciprocated in all areas of activities the countries are involved into. What follow is inconclusive debates, skewed remarks, and fresh controversies. Indulged in such strain relationship for decades now are India – Pakistan, with the history of having fought four wars already. Their relationship has seen all shades of grey as well as pink over the years. The various attempts of restoring normalization have stumbled across many roadblocks. So when the representatives of these countries are given a platform to discuss and not debate their version of insight into issues, we are exposed to altogether different ideas. Speaking from the Indian version is the former Foreign Minister of India, Jaswant Singh, who held the position during the National Democratic Alliance rule from 1998 to 2004. Representing the Pakistan’s point of view is the Former President, General Pervez Musharaff, in power from 1999 to 2008. What makes the discussion more interesting is the fact that they both held the most controversial positions at a time when the countries were at tiff during the ongoing 1999 Kargil war. Then chief of Pakistan Army during the Kargil war, General Pervez Musharaff, affirms that for peace, both the countries needs to move from their stated position and solutions may differ but was certainly sought by the Pakistan Government. Involved in resolving the Indo- Pak Kargil War as a foreign minister then, Jaswant Singh believes that sensitivity of both the countries relationship is unmatched and despite the odds they have bright future ahead. Both the counterparts have strong arguments on the human right violation from their respective ends and blame the west for heir hypocrisies on these issues. Discussing these and many other issues straining their relationship in the most candid way are the speakers of the Outsider show, spilling in some exclusive thoughts.
ISLAMABAD Eleven years after the fateful night that put an end to his military career, General (retd) Ziauddin Butt disclosed that General (retd) Pervez Musharraf had plans to topple the elected government since his inception as Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) in 1998. “I do know personally that he had some such plans since October 1998 when he assumed the office of the COAS,” said General (retired) Ziauddin in an exclusive but informal chat with Dawn at his residence in Lahore. General Ziauddin was “appointed” army chief by then prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif on October 12, 1999, which triggered the series of events that led to the military coup later that night. The night proved to be no less tumultuous for Ziauddin; stripped of his military rank, he was kept in solitary confinement for two years at the headquarters of the 111 Brigade. In perhaps what is his first extensive interaction with the media, the military officer claimed that Musharraf was a “friend of mine”. At the same time, when pressed to talk further about the “plans” to carry out a coup, which dated back to 1998, the general refused to reveal anything else. He did, however, claim that the plan to topple the elected government was not a secret in the days leading up to October 12. “We were aware that General Musharraf and his cronies would take over.” Ziauddin told Dawn that armed with this knowledge the prime minister too had decided to remove General Musharraf though he (Ziauddin) was not aware of the details of what Nawaz Sharif had in mind.
No comments:
Post a Comment