DUBAI, November 20: Former President General (retd) Parvez Musharraf has said that that the new US President-elect Donald Trump is not well-versed with political dynamics of the region and has yet to formulate a strategy vis-à-vis South Asia. This is a golden opportunity for Pakistan, the Prime Minister needs to step up and build an immediate liaison with the President-elect. The new administration, he said, has people have positive views of Pakistan and this is the time for lobbying. In an interview with a private TV channel Musharraf said India wants to maintain hedge-money in the region. India sees itself as a future economic giant not only in the region, but in the world. India wants to isolate Pakistan not only economically but also diplomatically.
The India caucus in the US Senate is more vigilant and proactive; Pakistan needs to derive an effective strategy as well to counter the Indian narratives in the US circles. Regarding the Civil-Military divide, he said that India has exploited this fault-line of the Pakistani political spectra, especially the PML-N regimes. There has always been a rift between the army chiefs and the incumbent government in the PML-N regimes; General Raheel deserves an extension, he said.
“I still enjoy cordial relations with former US president Bush and this impression that he worked with Asif Zardari to outset me is completely false” he said.
He said that only power is the power of the people. The people of Pakistan need a change. They want a more honest and committed leadership. The current government has failed to address the issues of the common man. There is no check and balance, the government is using its machinery to intimidate the bureaucracy and they sure know how to manipulate judiciary and other sacred institutions for their own intents and purposes, he said.
Musharraf said that there is need of third political force in country, adding that Imran Khan also has role in this regard.-Sabah
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