Rich tributes paid to General Musharraf

KARACHI: The business community paid rich tributes to former president and the chief of the army staff General Pervez Musharraf during a condolence meeting held on Thursday.

Shamshad Akhtar, former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), said that Gen Musharraf was a global leader. He had a charismatic personality.

“I found him to be a great and fearless leader,” she said, adding that General Musharraf had mastery over all departments.

Ahmed Chinoy, a known businessman, said that Musharraf had an ideal personality and highlighted the bravery of Musharraf during the Kargil conflict with India.

Former Sindh governor General Mohiuddin Haider (Retd) paid tributes and said that the country would remember this hero for centuries.

Musharraf had full command over history, he said, adding that the last three years of Musharraf’s tenure were the best years for the country. “Musharraf had a vision of prosperous Pakistan.”

Khalid Tawab, former president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), said that during Musharraf’s tenure, Karachi witnessed huge development work.

“During his tenure Pakistan came out of the IMF programme,” he said, adding that Pakistan lost a great hero.

Saleem Shekhani, chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), said that General Musharraf had the capability to resolve the issues in a short span of time.

He expressed the hope that the country will have more leaders like Musharraf.

Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, an industrialist, said that history will remember Musharraf.

“Pakistan witnessed huge progress in imports and exports during his tenure.” Baig said, adding that the economy grew 20 per cent during Musharraf’s tenure.

Majyd Aziz, former president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said that Musharraf was a public hero, as well as a brave soldier.

“I was the one who chanted slogan of ‘stay Musharraf stay’ when there was a buzz of ‘Go Musharraf go,” he added.

For Aziz, the business community was very comfortable during his tenure because their problems were resolved immediately.

Hanif Gohar, a business leader, said that the trade and industry flourished during his tenure.