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Former president Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday that he will face the courts in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case in Pakistan after his health improves.
In a statement issued by the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) secretariat, Musharraf said that the recent court verdict was not against him as his case is still pending.
Terming American journalist and lobbyist Mark Siegel's statement "meaningless", Musharraf said that his lawyers had already refuted the comments.
Siegel, in his testimony in 2015, had claimed Musharraf had threatened Bhutto with dire consequences if she chose to return to Pakistan from exile.
The former dictator also said that his legal team was looking into the issue of his property's seizure and that he, or his family, would take appropriate legal action after consultation. He claimed that he was wrongly included in the case on a political basis.
A joint investigation team had implicated Musharraf in the case, saying that his government did not provide adequate security to the former prime minister despite her repeated requests.
Earlier this week, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) acquitted five Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suspects and announced 17-year imprisonment for two police officials in Benazir Bhutto murder case.
Apart from Musharraf, five other men — Baitullah Mehsud, Ahmad Gul, Iqramullah, Abdullah, and Faizullah — were also declared absconders.
The case had lingered on for nearly ten years. During the case, 68 witnesses appeared on behalf of the prosecution and recorded their testimonies. The police presented three charge sheets before the court, whereas the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) presented five.
The judge hearing the case was changed eight times.
In 2013, FIA's special prosecutor in the case was killed by unknown assailants. Doctors said he had been killed with 10 bullets targeting his chest and shoulder.
Benazir Bhutto — twice elected prime minister of Pakistan — was assassinated when terrorists attacked her convoy, as it was leaving the historic Liaquat Bagh after addressing a public meeting on Dec 27, 2007.
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On DawnNews
Sep 03, 2017 01:57pm
Musharraf warned BB about the risk and she did not listen. There seems to be an orchestrated attempt by Noon and Zardari League to defame Musharraf whose era saw exemplary economic progress in Pakistan. Musharraf has accepted apologised that NRO was a mistake and he should be allowed to sincerely participate in Pakistan politics.
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Sep 03, 2017 01:57pm
True and great Pakistani leader.
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Sep 03, 2017 01:58pm
Correctly spoken Sir!. The best way to confront any fears is to face them head on.
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Sep 03, 2017 02:06pm
Its all political case against him.
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Sep 03, 2017 02:23pm
Politicians are just muppets - the boys write script and act as players - they decide everything. All dirt and consequences are faced by civilians. Most are just audacious stunts leaving this country, sometime with embarrassments, fumes of hatered, or irreparable losses. From the first honorable prime minister to the last, and most importantly, the nation, all have tasted this. Their role ends when they do not adhere to the script - the game ends here. No one is sane, patriotic, wise, honest respectful and brave except..........
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Sep 03, 2017 02:26pm
What else can he say to stay afloat and remain in the limelight, on top of protecting his integrity, honor and legacy in the history of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan?
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Sep 03, 2017 02:33pm
Come back to Pakistan and defend yourself.
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Sep 03, 2017 02:46pm
@AMajid Bad advice.
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Sep 03, 2017 02:55pm
The answer is simple. If BB not happy with security shall wait in security till its provided. Else taking risk on herself by taking insecurity in hands
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Sep 03, 2017 03:00pm
A absconder must return to his country. Talking from Dubai makes no sense.
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Sep 03, 2017 03:08pm
@Rabia : True and great Pakistani leader.. Like all Pakistani leaders.
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Sep 03, 2017 03:23pm
if you return home then, and with the current level of popularity in Pakistan I dont think you will come back. Such a coward
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Sep 03, 2017 03:41pm
I thought you will stay honest like you were in your statements when you were president. I feel real reason or good part of the reason is ECL.
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Sep 03, 2017 03:43pm
Musharraf has been made scapegoat by the mafia.The case has been decided in such a manner that PPP will continue encashing on BB murder and PMLN hiding corruption.During the last 10 years both the parties and their leaders have got ill gotten money of more than US $20 Billion from poor Pakistanis.Time for Pakistanis to come out of sympathy circle and must find true,honest and visionary leaders to take Pakistan forward.The present set up is of sick,corrupt and inefficient leader.
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Sep 03, 2017 03:46pm
Musharraf is truthful and was an inspiring leader. The unscrupulous politicians wish to indict him to take attention away from them. There is no clarity about the circumstances of the unfortunate murder or its motives. But as always the truth will come out one day and Musharraf will be completely vindicated.
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Sep 03, 2017 03:54pm
After late, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, the most dynamic leader, Pakistan ever had, was General (Retd) Musharraf. These are politically motivated cases. Yes, indeed the NRO was a mistake. It takes courage to accept responsibility, for things that went wrong, but if you look at the big picture, the fact is that the country prospered economically during President's Musharraf's era. The word dictator, does not do justice, to what these two gentlemen accomplished for Pakistan!
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Sep 03, 2017 03:57pm
I have always agreed that Musharraf was not the culprit. TTP took the responsibility of te attack on Benazir. Although I never supported Musharraf I do not think he was that bad. This present investigation is a counter revenge by those who lost to Musharraf their power.
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Sep 03, 2017 04:16pm
@Ayub Musharraf is the mafia himself....
How can a person who illegally took over the country's rule, carried on for 8 years and finally left untouched be portrayed as a saint...
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Sep 03, 2017 04:19pm
When BB arrived in Pakistan Gen musharaf warned her that there's security threat but she refused to listen before rawalpindi jalsa the than ISI cheif personally called her that cancel your jalsa due to immense security threats still she didn't listened don't know why there's still a case against Gen musharaf
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Sep 03, 2017 04:28pm
Judge changed 8 times in the case? Absurdity in the extreme, can't find the guilty but hang an opponent at least. Great going.
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Sep 03, 2017 04:31pm
@Rabia but as per court he is absconder
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Sep 03, 2017 04:40pm
Who benefitted the most out of BB murder is probably the culprit. We all know where and whom to point at, right?
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Sep 03, 2017 04:43pm
"Will face courts in Benazir murder case: Musharraf"
Are we supposed to believe this?
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Sep 03, 2017 04:51pm
In simple words no other way..............
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Sep 03, 2017 04:55pm
Nawaz Sharif is a weak and vindictive person.
Zardari is the one who Benefitted the most .
Both men are evil and both would let Pakistan be divided as long as these two ruled Punjab and Sindh
Musharraf is loyal Pakistani . His era saw economic growth , job creation , freedom of press and it was Musharraf who refused IMF funds . NS and Zardari continued to beg IMF and indebted Pakistan and enriched the self .
Pakistanis should treat Musharraf with respect and get rid of NS and Zardari for ever
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Sep 03, 2017 04:58pm
@Ayub we already know that..
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Sep 03, 2017 04:59pm
@Skeptic So, when is he returning to Pakistan?
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Sep 03, 2017 05:01pm
@Abdul Qureshi ...then from where does Musharraf get money to have good times in far out lands?
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Sep 03, 2017 05:12pm
Although we know that he is not going to die any time soon from the unkown illness that he has, he is not going to return to Pakistan to face the law.
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Sep 03, 2017 05:16pm
If BB was concerned about the security provided, why was she pushed into sticking her head outside the SUV?
Why wasn't the vehicle manufacturers sued for installing such a lethal sunroof?
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Sep 03, 2017 05:36pm
Benazir Bhutto alone responsible for her death, why she exposed her head,stucking out of vehicle, despite she was fully aware of possible terrorists attack. While after the Karsaz attack should she should even be extremely careful.
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Sep 03, 2017 05:40pm
He scarpered off when the cases were made against him and has ever since been reliant on the army to protect him...wat a coward, if he really thinks that he is innocent and has a strong enuf support base and harbours aspirations to lead the country again, then y not return to Pakistan and enter into the political course and prove all his critics wrong...
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Sep 03, 2017 05:51pm
He is great commando. Brave leader of paksitan. Not like coward Nawaz and Zardari
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Sep 03, 2017 05:55pm
It is futile to look for murderer somewhere else, when the real killer is in country and that is Zardari, who wanted to get ride of Benazir to gain power & wealth. Zardari is buying out the legal system and tryin to get scapegoat in Musharraf to save his own skin.
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Sep 03, 2017 06:03pm
How interesting, his health has n't improved as yet. Under pressure , they all have health problem. Zardari takes sabbatical for months. Dubai has become a safe haven for all fugitives.
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Sep 03, 2017 06:07pm
Who advice her to open the hatch, or was it her decision, ask the people in the car, no answer yet from the investigation.this was laspe of security from inside and not from outside.
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Sep 03, 2017 06:28pm
Did Musharraf asked her to take her neck out from sun roof? He was supposed to be the leader not follower. It was ppp who benefited from her assassination. Shall find her blood within theirselves.
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Sep 03, 2017 06:41pm
The supreme court had supported Musharraf's usurp of Nawaz Sharif's government and all his actions as the President were therefore fully covered by the Apex court. Whatever he did in the interest of the state, cannot be challenged now and majority of well meaning people rate Musharraf much higher than all the political tycoons of the country after the Quaid.
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Sep 03, 2017 06:47pm
Gen lost his credibility when he left the country. It's ridiculous to glorify him and his actions.../
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Sep 03, 2017 06:49pm
Going by the same rule, sindh and federal governments and it rulers should be held responsible for the attack on Izharul Hasan.
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Sep 03, 2017 06:57pm
Law should be equal for all. Why Shareefs should not be implicated in Model town tragedy? Why Gillani s should not be held accountable for not providing security to his governor Mr Salman Taseer?
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Sep 03, 2017 07:00pm
Sir, Please, don't try this!
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Sep 03, 2017 07:23pm
Moved Hussain respect my country former President he is not Dictator he is elected President he is not like Iranian imam or
Respect our country and our President
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Sep 03, 2017 07:23pm
@Dr Ibrahim: Very true.
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Sep 03, 2017 07:25pm
Saying and doing are two different things. He knows nothing can be proved about his participation.
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Sep 03, 2017 07:26pm
@KB: A true assessment.
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Sep 03, 2017 07:49pm
I am not surprised that all those who are subject of trial in courts of law get out of Pakistan-on one health issue pretext or the other.The court rulings remain pending until the individuals are brought back to face the trials or return back voluntarily. PM or N (League) or PPP leaders in particular get their way to avoid all pending trials deferred.It's a machnism to avoid due process.It's primarily hoodwinking the system under the garb of health issue.
All previous&present generations political&former dictators and such leaders seems to have used this avenue of escape effectively to their advantage.
The law enforcement demands of the test and trials of pending cases against anyone in the court of law due to the polarization of system is questionable. It's whom you know&how much money Such leaders can spend to save their being tried by a court of law.
Country will have to set some stringent rules governing trials of personnels who are declared absconders from a court of law.
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Sep 03, 2017 07:56pm
Great and much better than the so called democratic leaders
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Sep 03, 2017 07:56pm
All wrong doer of past and present need to be made irrelevant, if not prosecuted to the full extent of law. This is need pf the hour in current political scenario. Otherwise we will remain struck in current viscous political cycle,
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Sep 03, 2017 08:04pm
Besides Musharraf to BB, the bulletproof car was given for a reason.
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Sep 03, 2017 08:04pm
He intends to face the court but not speak the truth.
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Sep 03, 2017 08:17pm
BB was not responsible for her death, she was a leader it was her right to campaign for elections and hold jalsas on the other hand the state is solely responsible to provide security to every citizen which Musharaf as the Head of state then miserably failed in it.
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Sep 03, 2017 08:18pm
@AngryCitizen Sir, what you commented is very true.
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Sep 03, 2017 08:20pm
Court released 5 persons who confessed being involved in BB murder, two Police Officers were sentenced 17 years each in this case for not dooing their assigned duties, Musharraf declared absconder and his property being in process of confiscation... who is the real plotter / killer of BB ?.
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Sep 03, 2017 08:20pm
@Rabia - who ?
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Sep 03, 2017 08:21pm
@Rabia .. please identify her achievements ?
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Sep 03, 2017 09:10pm
"The judge hearing the case was changed eight times.
In 2013, FIA's special prosecutor in the case was killed by unknown assailants."
Do we need another explanation about the verdict?
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Sep 03, 2017 09:25pm
Musharraf still has more credibility and more respect than the current government's officials. Doesn't matter how hard NS and his cronies want to make people believe their honesty and love for the country they will never be able to.
Marking NS and his government by the Supreme Court a corrupt one is truth. NS and his close quarters fellows are self serving and no love for Pakistan. Musharraf has made money and also should be asked its source.
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Sep 03, 2017 09:59pm
How long would it take to improve his health? Looks like his health is OK when it comes to giving interviews on prime time to embrace the current establishment by it is not good enough to face the legal trials. Shame on this guy for using Gen. Raheel's name to flee the country and saying so many things about judiciary. If he has an iota of self-respect and patriotism he should come back and clear his name.
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Sep 03, 2017 10:04pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, do you seriously think that this guy has any self-respect apart from being desperate to be relevant? Patriotism is something but total blindness to this cult figure who only managed to weaken country needs to be understood and be made an example for the future generals who take it for granted when it comes to good governance, democracy and judiciary
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Sep 03, 2017 10:06pm
Although some reservations about the bb murder case may be true what progress the ppp led government made in this case during it's own tenure from 2oo8 to 2o13
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Sep 03, 2017 10:10pm
@Dr Ibrahim , politically motivated cases, let's face it, it was him who messed around with the judiciary and politicians and it was him who became political so why cry now for being politically motivated, when all that he did was political in nature?
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Sep 03, 2017 10:17pm
All the corrupts and looters of national wealth are calling for action against Mr Musharraf an honest man with no corruption charges and not a single family member in politics or business.It is time for civil society and simple people of Pakistan to push for action against the corrupt mafia and those in government jobs under nepotism.
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Sep 03, 2017 10:22pm
Instead of fairly punishing the actual perpetrators, the ATC judge give a verdict that ensured his personal safety and personal popularity.
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Sep 03, 2017 10:23pm
So when this dictator will be back? What is wrong with his health?
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Sep 03, 2017 10:32pm
These cases against Musharraf are politically motivated, we all know that, Zardari and Nawaz just want revenge, that's all. Musharraf has admitted his mistakes in the past, how many politicians and leaders have accepted their wrong decisions? NONE. If you think Musharraf is just going to lay down, you obviously don't understand how it all works.
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Sep 03, 2017 11:25pm
There is no crying over spilt milk ...you had a chance but you blew it up sky high....Acknowledging your mistakes also has its pluses, but we often don't have trouble recalling or mulling over those. The point is, if you don't acknowledge your successes the same way you acknowledge your mistakes, you're sure to have a memory full of blunders.
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Sep 03, 2017 11:48pm
When will the people of Pakistan wake up and choose a honest leader like Pervaz Musarraf, all the rest are dishonest and are proven by the wealth they have accumulated.
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Sep 04, 2017 12:38am
His health will never improve. He will only return once atmosphere is in his favour. Or if he has a deal.
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Sep 04, 2017 12:44am
@AngryCitizen
Why can't all see this, it is so clear. This happens over and over again.
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Sep 04, 2017 12:45am
Good Lord! When would this drama stop.
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Sep 04, 2017 12:57am
get well soon and come back quickly
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Sep 04, 2017 01:01am
get well soon and come back quickly but so long as u are not well keep quite
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Sep 04, 2017 01:04am
If he is not guilty then he should return to Pakistan, country he says he loves, and face the law. Why did he run away. Only guilty do
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Sep 04, 2017 04:26am
He will never return.
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Sep 04, 2017 05:11am
It is terrible to glorify a dictator in any cicumstances.
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Sep 04, 2017 05:21am
100% agree
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Sep 04, 2017 05:24am
Musharraf still the best person for Pakistan,he must be return in Pakistan to participate politics in Pakistan
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Sep 04, 2017 06:29am
@Naim Good point, who was guiding her when she took her face out of the hatch, some one must have helped and guided her, and then how long did it take for some one to shoot? interesting, may be inside job.
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Sep 04, 2017 07:45am
is there any time limit for his health improvement. he will prolong his stay abroad to avoid court appearance. he must be punished in absentia.
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Sep 04, 2017 09:04am
@WARRIs you are right. If I remember correctly he forbade street demonstration because of the danger !
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Sep 04, 2017 09:13am
One of few politicians of Pakistan with balls. You are clean and will end up clean. Let them do their usual dirty work.
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Sep 04, 2017 09:48am
@Rabia why all true and great leaders run away from Pakistan and take shelter in other countries. Why do they feel.they committed no mistake and why can't they be under any law?
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Sep 04, 2017 10:42am
Musharraf toppled democratically elected Government. His words can not be relied.
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Sep 04, 2017 10:50am
Musharraf is not coming back. He just wants media attention.
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Sep 04, 2017 01:35pm
If Mushraffe has any decency left ,he should go back to Pakistan asap and clear his name . He has already been declared as an absconder by the courts. What kind of example is he setting for the youth of Pakistan?
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Sep 04, 2017 02:23pm
@Kamal Saudi Arabia ,All the political leader say the same. Go read Nawaz's speaches after conviction.
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Sep 04, 2017 02:29pm
@Dr Ibrahim ,I honestly like to know what good did he do for Pakistan? How many power plants,or large industrial units came to Pakistan? Yes has allowed import of cell phone,never ask the suppliers to set up assembly or manufecture in the country.Had a CNG in every car the results were disaster. Please tell me his achievements for the country not personal
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Sep 04, 2017 03:13pm
@a Ali this is BBs achievement that you are able to express your opinion in Pakistan and living in a democracy. Benazir bhutto faced two dictators and fought relentlessly for democracy
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Sep 04, 2017 03:53pm
@Ayub.He is living outside Pakistan in Luxary. Where is money coming from? Any idea?
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Sep 04, 2017 05:38pm
An ex-PM was demanding a protocol above a sitting PM's security detail, why does any state have to comply to such demands?
She should have complied to the security advice or arranged for her own, she wasn't in the positiin to demand anything above her rights as a former PM.
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Sep 04, 2017 06:45pm
PPP were sleeping for 5 years of their rule, done nothing ask Zardari why he never initiated investigation,
some time ago investigation started but stop because its leading towards him personaly.
what a cover up PPP ruled Pakistan & sindh they had all the tools & power.
Beneficiary of BB assassination is Zardari.
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Sep 04, 2017 08:34pm
How long the very health will take to improve, its better if you can give an approximate time limit.
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Sep 04, 2017 09:45pm
@Abdul Qureshi : Who are the beneficiaries in BB's murder, truth can not remain hidden for long.
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Sep 05, 2017 05:14am
@Azmeen - then who should we praise? Give us one name. Today, political and business climate is so untrustworthy that common citizens are suffocating and losing hope in our institutions and hand picked leaders. Middle class families see only hope in army controlled institutions. At least our armed forces have some rules and regulations left to conduct and control our country else these hand picked civilian stooges would have destroyed our Pakistan like a naive child. Respectfully
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