News Analysis |
The President of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain,disclosed sensational political information, making the Sharif family, a central part of his memoir.
In his book ‘SachTo Yeah Hai’ the politician hurled scathing allegations against Nawaz Sharif, former PM and Hussain’s former boss, claiming that he (Nawaz) betrayed him 8 times. He specifically mentioned the incident when he nominated his younger brother Shehbaz as the Chief Minister of Punjab in 1997, despite assurance by his father Mian Sharif that Pervez Elahi would be given the position.
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The 328-page book consisting of 20 chapters details Shujaat’s brief tenure as the Prime Minister of Pakistan coupled with his interactions with political leaders during the period.
Continuing with his hair-raising disclosures, the PML-Q leader alleged the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of framing fake narcotics case against his arch-rival, Asif Ali Zardari, further adding that he (Ch. Shujjat) refused to file any such case; for which he earned praise of Zardari, who stated in 2015, ‘he became president because of me(Shujat)’.
Hussain stated that the government of Mian Nawaz Sharif could have been saved in 1999, if he had avoided ordering the diversion of the plane of the then military chief General Pervez Musharraf. According to Shujjat, the army was not willing to stage a coup against the Nawaz government. The PML-Q chief mentioned that Hamza Shehbaz, the son of Chief Minister Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif – was in contact with the PML-Q leadership when Nawaz left for Saudi Arabia.
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The politician mentioned a meeting that took place in November 1999, wherein then-chiefs of intelligence agencies took oath on the Holy Quran that they would not disclose about the decision to carry out extrajudicial killings in Karachi and Punjab.
In his book, Hussain revealed another meeting called by Musharraf in Murree, after the killing of Akbar Bugti. He stated that this meeting was attended by the then Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Director General ISI, the DG Military Intelligence, and the DG Intelligence Bureau. According to Shujjat, the participants of the meeting were pleased over the killing of Bugti and they distributed sweets.However, Shujjat claimed that it was him, who intervened and quoted asufi poet by Mian Muhammad Bux “Dushman Mary Tay Khushi Na Karye, Sajna Vi Mar Jana”.
Hussain later stated stated that he then asked DG Intelligence Bureau, Ijaz Shah, to translate the couplet, but Musharraf intervened and said there was no need of translation as the meanings of the verse was clear.
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The PML-Q leader further disclosed the ‘hidden’ facts about the issue of nuclear proliferation and scientist DrQadeer. Shujaat stated that when Pakistan was under the radar of international players and was being subjected to intense foreign pressure, Musharraf sent barrister SM Zafar and him to DrQadeer,convincing him to apologize to the nation.
In his book Hussain further revealedthat he was asked to meet DrQadeer alone. When he met DrQadeer, the scientist rejected the allegations of nuclear materials theft. DrQadeer, as Hussain portrays, also took him to his house and showed him the furniture of his wife brought as dowry, arguing that he even could not afford to buy new furniture. He lastly added that DrQadeer’s apology enhanced his dignity, in his eyes.
The PML-Q leader- continued in his book that the former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz complained about the then Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, to Pervez Musharraf. Further adding that it was him who tried to calm down the situation.
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Hussain stated that upon unanimous reinstatement of Iftikhar Chaudhry on 20 July 2007 by a 13 judge panel as a top judge, he advised Musharraf to solve differences with him which Musharraf accepted, however, his aides did not allow him to do so.
Chaudhry Shujaat, also revealed the observation of Pervez Musharraf about Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, whom he labelled ‘extremely lazy’ as Musharraf used to complain that PM saab [Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali] woke up at noon.
The 72-year-old political maverick claimed that it was him who advised Jamali to resign, after his relationship with Musharraf deteriorated.
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The soft-toned politician also wrote down his views regarding the Lal Masjid incident, which broke out in July 2007 stating: he quotes, thinking about the day, he is still haunted,”claiming that Abdur Rashid Ghazi had trusted him and before his death had decided to hand over his two adopted daughters to him, which are still under his guardianship.
Contrary to popular perception that the elections after the death of Benazir Bhutto were transparent and fair, Hussain disclosed that the 2008 general elections were rigged categorically mentioning that America wanted Benazir Bhutto to assume power.