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There are indications that chief of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) may win the upcoming general elections from Chitral convincingly, as Lawari tunnel project, which was initiated by the military ruler during his rule, has not been completed despite the passage of four years by the incumbent regime, which has disappointed the people of the area.
They said that the PPP instead of completing the project, which is the lifeline for the people, as it is an all weather route which connect the valley from other parts of the country throughout the year, did not give any importance to it and even diverted funds allocated for the ongoing project to home constituencies of the prime minister and the president.
They regretted government apathy towards people of Chitral, who in all odds have supported the PPP, thinking it may resolve their problems, but it did not bother when the construction company abandoned the project and left the people at the mercy of God.
Now when Musharraf, who has fulfilled his promise with Chitralis and initiated the suspended work with all the might, stands high chance of winning the hearts of the people, rejecting his opponents who make promises every now and then but afterwards leave the people groping in the dark, they said.
It was learnt that Musharraf's sudden announcement to contest elections from Chitral, has left very little chances for the potential candidates who were dead sure they would make their way to national and provincial assemblies.
The sudden shock given by the announcement of Musharraf left the potential contestants belonging to PPP and Jamat-e-Islami - two potential political parties, who have strong vote bank in the area, in a very distressing position and in their madness some of them have gone to the extent of calling him the main character in killing of innocent children during Laal Mosque operation.
All this is visible in the face of simmering discontent by PPP and JI as earlier they thought it impossible that anybody will dent their popularity in Chitral but Musharraf's announcement to contest polls has proved to be a twister for their prospects of getting any seat from the area.
Talking to this correspondent former member National Assembly from Chitral Moulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali strongly reacted to Musharraf's announcement, saying Shehazada Muhiuddin, the incumbent member National Assembly from Chitral, who has invited the former president to contest polls from Chitral, must not play games, realising that going for a win in the next polls is a far goose chase for him.
"Musharraf is the man who resorted to the genocide of innocent girls during a military operation in the Red Mosque of Islamabad...[and] after knowing all these bitter realities, if people think he deserves a heroic welcome in Chitral, I have no objection, let them elect him [but] I don't think he will win from here", the perturbed Moulana contended.
Terming the former president an Israeli and US agent, Moulana Chitrali said people of the area have a lot of political awareness and the days of slaveries have gone.
Now people have the wisdom to decide for whom they should vote for, he added.
He came down hard on Prince Muhiuddin and said that he does not want someone else from the area to lead the people of Chitral and this is the sole reason, after becoming visually impaired, he is welcoming General Musharraf.
He said that the only thing which would benefit Chitral if Musharraf contests elections from the valley, the area will come into limelight through global media.
This is the only thing, which may benefit Chitralis but the angry Moulana authoritatively declared 'defeat will be the general's destiny.' When this scribe wanted to know the reaction of PPP, former district president of the party Zainul Abideen said that PPP was the only organised party, which would ultimately see the dawn of victory in the valley.
When asked how it is possible that PPP would emerge victorious as the party leadership is facing great hardships after he was removed as PPP district president, he said he would contest the next elections on party ticket come what may.
"I am still there [as president]..there are some backbenchers in PPP who have created rift in the party ranks due to their own vested interest, which, if not resolved, would dent the party to the point of no return," he warned.
Abideen, who is a die-hard PPP worker from Chitral, reiterated that the party initiated the Loawari tunnel project and credit must go to the PPP but when asked that why the party failed to resume work on the tunnel after coming into power twice and had done nothing despite being in power for the last four years, he could not come up with any satisfactory answer.
Meanwhile, prominent politician and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Wing Commander Fardad Ali Shah (Retd) was not much impressed with the idea and said that it should have been more appropriate had Musharraf contested elections from his own constituency instead of choosing Chitral.
"It is high time we Chitralis display self respect instead of this 'generosity' and not invite outsiders whoever he/she may be to represent us in the parliament.
I suggest Musharraf to contest elections from his home constituency instead of Chitral...the general should have fielded someone else from Chitral to contest polls from the platform of his party," he added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2012
Posted in: Chitral,Pervez Musharraf
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