Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan coming to Seattle/Bellevue
For Immediate Release
A group of Pakistanis belonging to “Friends of Pakistan First”, a U.S. based local chapter is bringing Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan for a dinner and talk at the Bellevue Westin on March 14th, 2010 at 6:00PM.
President Musharraf took power in Pakistan in 1999 after a bloodless coup that toppled the then corrupt and incompetent government. Later he became the president of Pakistan. Pervez Musharraf has been a great ally of the U.S. in its War on Terror. He advocated and then took actions to root out growing militancy from within Pakistan and Afghanistan while helping the U.S. in its efforts in Afghanistan. His support for the U.S. and going against rogue militants in Pakistan earned him a lot of enemies in the region that resulted in two failed assassination attempts while serving as a president.
During Musharraf’s rule in Pakistan the country saw a great and speedy economic progress and for a few years Pakistan’s stock market was a global leader in its growth. In an effort to put the country on the path to democracy and open public debate, his policies resulted in opening up of Pakistani private media which thrived and became main stream thus finishing the era of state controlled media monopoly for the first time in the history of Pakistan. Dozens of private TV and radio channels emerged under Musharraf rule which really helped Pakistanis with open and fearless dialogue on range of issues. Ironically these media outlets that thrived under his rule also were instrumental in pressuring Musharraf to resign in 2007 due to his sacking of the then Chief Justice of Pakistan and a clamp down on Judiciary which he thought was not working in the interests of Pakistan’s national security.
Musharraf has since become a controversial figure among Pakistanis with a strong divide in the middle. But generally he remains a well-known figure worldwide among ex-pat Pakistanis and others in different capacities. Musharraf also published his memoirs in the book titled “In the Line of Fire” where he talks about his life and other globally significant events in detail and from his perspective.
The Bellevue/Seattle visit is more of a private visit at the “Friends of Pakistan First” invitation. It is speculated that Musharraf is planning on getting back in Pakistani politics, something he neither has confirmed nor denied. He will be speaking about his vision for Pakistan’s future at The Westin, Bellevue on March 14th, 2010 at 6:00PM. His talk is open to public.
On this tour, Musharraf will also give talks in Oregon, California and Florida.
