Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday strongly deplored the elements engaged in unnecessary criticism of departure of former ruler General Pervez Musharraf (retd) and described it as 'plain hypocrisy and show of their dual standards.' Musharraf's name was deleted from Exit Control List (ECL) in light of Supreme Court judgement, he said in a statement issued here.
He criticised the previous government of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and said during its five-year-long tenure, Musharraf's name was not included in ECL despite existence of an FIR against him.
The Minister went on to say that PPP, which is now opposing departure of General Musharraf, remained friendly to him and did not even talk about him during their tenure.
Musharraf undertook four foreign trips while the PPP was in power, said the Minister, adding that it was the party which fulfilled National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) like friendship with former President General Pervez Musharraf during its tenure.
He said an investigation committee during 2009 had suggested that General might be involved in murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto but lamented that the then rulers did not dare to take action against Musharraf.
"This seems quite amusing those who had given guard of honour and requested other political parties for pardon to General Musharraf, are now staging political drama on the matter," he said.
Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said after 2008 general elections, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) was the only party which opposed general pardon to Musharraf, otherwise Asif Ali Zardari had convinced all other parties.
Nisar said PML-N also exerted pressure on Musharraf's impeachment and as a result he had to resign. Otherwise, PPP had no plan to show exit door to General Musharraf.
He went on to say that during its five years regime, PPP simply ignored Benazir Bhutto murder case and also 2007 emergency matter, adding that the PPP government was rather wishful to remain continue with Justice Dogar and PCO court.
He said in reality, Asif Ali Zardari used to convince Nawaz Sharif to ignore mistakes of General Musharraf.
"It is quite astonishing PPP leaders have forgotten all its wrong-doings and in fact through such negative moves PPP is now trying to restore its declining political reputation," he said, adding that people of Pakistan, having a strong memory, would not forget their negativity.
The Minister said such negativity on part of PPP would result in further declining of their political reputation.
Chaudhry Nisar said the record of PML-N is very clear and it was the party which opposed when Special Court allowed General Musharraf to travel abroad. Similarly, he said, when Sindh High Court allowed Musharraf it was also opposed.
All this continued for two years, he said and added Supreme Court - a last court for appeal - has issued its decision and in light of this, Musharraf name was removed from ECL.
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