Musharraf's disqualification angers Chitralis

The victory of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), led by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, could not be ruled out despite his disqualification by an election tribunal of Peshawar High Court to take part in the upcoming general elections from NA-32 (Chitral). 

This correspondent contacted a number of people from different walks of life in Chitral, who expressed resentment over the tribunal's decision and vowed to vote for "even a deaf and dumb' candidates for "Musharraf's sake". They said that if Musharraf's opponents were busy celebrating, thinking their victory is sure with the ouster of Musharraf, they "are living in fools' paradise". 

The best way to take revenge from these political actors "is to give them a humiliating defeat by electing even a dumb person from Chitral" from APML's platform. The anger was of such a great magnitude that they said at least Maulana Abdul Chitrali and Abdul Lateef - two political actors - who "are yet to learn the ABC of politics - will be taken to task by the people of Chitral in shape of a humiliating defeat in the elections". 

A senior leader of a religious political party on condition of anonymity said that the way Maulana acted against Pervez Musharraf, amounted to "stabbing the Chitralis" and the people of Chitral "will giving him a humiliating defeat". 

According to him, Abdul Lateef of PTI, whom he pitied, would "not become a leader even after a hundred years". "It is their (Musharraf's opponent's) wishful thinking if they think they can win elections with the ouster of Musharraf...No one will vote for them [Lateef, Chitrali]...We don't even want to see their ugly faces," he reacted angrily. 

Another prominent person with a secular background, who also wished not to be named, said that Maulana Chitrali has earned nothing but hatred by launching a defamation campaign against Musharraf, adding that it was again Prince Muhiuddin who proved himself to be a popular leader by supporting Musharraf even half-heartedly for opening the Lowari Tunnel. "We salute Muhiuddin for supporting Musharraf after all a prince is a prince and a maulvi will always remain a maulvi," he declared. 

Despite zero contribution as a member parliament, the Maulana claimed playing an active role in the opening of Lowari Tunnel, he said, adding that he (the Maulana) could have earned people's respect if he had supported Musharraf or decided not to contest election as a goodwill gesture, in recognition of Musharraf's service to Chitral. "The people of Chitral will never forgive this maulvi...the way he acted, serving his own vested interests after Musharraf announced to contest elections from Chitral...the cleric's actions speak volumes of his duplicity... To the people of Chitral, the people of Chitral will always consider him (the Maulana) as a radical cleric," he said. 

Moreover, the election campaign for former military ruler in the rugged mountainous valley was said to be "in full swing". Sources within APML said that the local leadership had been told to go ahead with the election campaigns and "keep their fingers crossed". 

Aasia Ishaq of APML said that the people of Chitral would "prove themselves (to be loyal to Musharraf) by electing the party's candidates. They are the representatives of their beloved leader Pervez Musharraf, the fighter. Giving up is not in his (Musharraf's) vocabulary. 

It was also learnt that the supporters of General Musharraf and local artists have composed special songs, eulogising his services for Chitral especially opening of Lowari ntunnel. The songs will be blasted from huge speakers at rallies and from the backs of trucks that drive around villages where APML candidates will appear. Campaigns vie to come up with the catchiest tunes to energise their supporters at rallies that are often beer-fuelled street parties. 

Copyright Business Recorder, 2013