All Pakistan Muslim League's (APML) lone member of the National Assembly from Chitral, Prince Iftikharuddin, opted to remain silent when all political parties under pressure from a proactive judiciary vowed to try Musharraf for treason. The prince, son of a former political heavyweight from Chitral, who tactfully used the name of General Musharraf to make his way to the Parliament, is now behaving like a blindfolded pigeon after seeing a cat.
In a telephonic interview with this correspondent, Iftikhar, blatantly negated the overwhelming emotions of Chitralis, saying that 75 percent people voted against Musharraf in May 11 general elections. In his politically woven argument, Iftikhar quickly substantiated his claim that other political parties such as Jamaat-i-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan People's Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam etc also managed to bag enough votes, which shows a clear division of ideology.
To a question of his inability to raise voice for Musharraf as the only legislator representing APML, he came out with an interesting reply that he did not get a chance to speak as he arrived after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vented his anger against Musharraf.
"I was a bit late in the session on Monday...when I reached there Nawaz Sharif had already spoken his heart out. Then Mehmood Khan Achakzai took the floor, followed by Khushid Ahmed Shah, Sheikh Rashid and Ijazul Haq...then there was a break [and] afterwards budget debate started [and] I got no chance," he added.
The energetic prince went on saying that he was fully charged to vent his anger, adding he had made up his mind to speak on a point of order despite knowing 99.9 percent legislators were against Musharraf and then he felt spiting venom like an infuriated cobra would cost dearly to Chitral.
Another reason for his inability to speak on the floor of the house, Iftikhar took great pride in was quadrupling the allocation for the Lowari tunnel project from of Rs 1 to 4 billion. He said that federal minister for finance Ishaq Dar and minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal had assured him to extend all-out support for the tunnel.
He continued that the overwhelming majority both inside and outside parliament were against Musharraf and making any hue and cry through protest demonstration in Chitral or in parliament will make no difference as heydays of Musharraf were gone.
"I've seen him how he [Musharraf] is going through the agony at his Chak Shehzad farmhouse due to house arrest...even then I'll see him and seek his guidance what I should do as member of the parliament," he maintained. When insisted he should have at least protested, he said that his backward constituency would not be able to fetch a single penny for the last five years. "At this stage we have two choices either to do something for the people of the area by extending support to the government or go back to have a comfortable summer in Chitral and wait for another five years," he added.
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