Mushy
Pervez Musharraf, the former President of Pakistan who now earns six to seven figures for his lectures, is coming to Bellevue, Washington, on March 14th.
The organization that is sponsoring him claims:
We are a local chapter in Seattle, Washington; consisting of local Ex-Pat Pakistanis who support the democratic institutions within Pakistan by offering our help in several areas that will promote the on going transition that has been occuring in Pakistan for a few years now.
We are an apolitical organization that is committed to support any leader or personality from Pakistan belonging to any political party (or not) who is genuinely committed to help flourish and promote democratic values in the country.
Musharraf, of course, is the very embodiment of democracy. This is the man who toppled a democratically elected government and stalled democratic reforms for many years in the name of national security, but, he was doing it all merely to promote “democratic values.”
(Protests after the jump)
Notwithstanding his anti-democratic measures, Musharraf was good for Pakistan. He maintained its economic and military stability in the middle of highly turbulent times for the nation. He helped contain the Taliban threat to the NWFP and even initiated dialogue with India over Kashmir. Law and order in Pakistan improved greatly during his rule. Corruption was also brought under control to some extent, as shown by Musharraf’s own finances after he stepped down. He’s making all his money from his speaking engagements, rather than from the Pakistani treasury.
A rival Pakistani organization is sponsoring a protest outside the Westin, according to emails being circulated in the area:
Protest Rally
Sunday, March 14th, 5:00 PM
Bellevue Downtown (in front of Westin Hotel)
Please join the protest rally on Sunday, Mar 14th at 5:00 PM, in front of Bellevue Westin, to register your protest against the crimes of Musharraf against Pakistanis and people of Pakistan.
The tyrant dictator of Pakistan, Musharraf, has trampled on the sacred constitution of Pakistan. He dismantled the most respected institution, the superior judiciary of Pakistan, incarcerating 60 judges of Supreme and High courts, with their families, including children, for over a year. He banned the independent media, thrashing the offices of major television stations in the broad daylight, beating up and torturing journalists.
Musharraf sold the young men and women of Pakistan for a few dollars to US, including Dr. Aafia siddiqui, and bragged about it in his book. He killed his political opponents in Baluchistan with brute military power. There are still over 3,000 Pakistani men and women, including some as young as 14, and as old as 65, missing. To this date, their families do not know what happened to their loved ones – whether they is alive or dead.
US Senator Einstein (sic) stated in the Senate hearing committee under oath, that Musharraf allowed US to launch drone attacks in Pakistan. These drone attacks have killed thousand of innocent citizens, including children and infants.
Let us join hands and give a clear message to the dictator, who has committed heinous crimes against Pakistan and its people, that he is not welcome in our city, and certainly not in our community.
It is our chance to express our constitutional right of freedom of expression, and let our voice be heard. Let us tell him to go back and face the charges in the court in Pakistan.
These are probably the same people who think the Taliban were benign and Osama Bin Laden was an American stooge.
