Category: Obituary

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Lite Blogs Obituary

Remembering Dr B.N. Goswamy

As the former Head of Panjab University’s Art History Department, he ensured that PU at one point of time had one of the biggest collections of contemporary art. A visionary, he tied up with Vivan Sundaram, who was running the Kasauli Arts Centre…writes Diwan Manna

There is a strange emptiness inside me now. I think I will need to get used to it. It has been a few hours since art historian Dr B.N. Goswamy passed away after a prolonged illness, but it is still hard to believe. He never taught me, but he was my teacher.

I have known him for 35 years, but every meeting, each conversation carried a certain excitement. No, he did not ‘lecture’ me about art. Yes, it was all about taking away knowledge from those conversations — about art, about life.

Calling this Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient just an internationally renowned art scholar and world authority on miniature painting would be like limiting him. For me, his greatest contribution has been to make art accessible to all. While he embodied immense knowledge and intellect, his stress was to ensure that his lectures and newspaper columns could be understood by everybody.

As the former Head of Panjab University’s Art History Department, he ensured that PU at one point of time had one of the biggest collections of contemporary art. A visionary, he tied up with Vivan Sundaram, who was running the Kasauli Arts Centre.

Though he lived in Chandigarh, his presence spread across the world, with major universities, museums and art galleries inviting him. Yes, he was gifted, but let us not forget that he worked hard. A daily practitioner of his art, Dr Goswamy in many ways taught us how to read Indian art.

After the end of the 19th century, everything started moving to Paris including major Indian artists. Their thought processes began to be defined by Western sensibilities, so much so that there was a fear of the Indian idiom and essence being lost.

And there were the British, who made us feel that everything Indian was inferior, long after they had left. When Dr Goswamy started writing and delivering lectures on Pahadi paintings, he brought attention back to Indian art. Anybody who has listened to his lectures would have noticed the use of poetry and humor — he was a performer too.

And yes, he bought a lot of art from artists across the region and would always tell artists not to give him a discount. In fact, when he bought some of my photographs, he insisted on paying my tax too.

His passing on means I am a lonely man now. We could share our personal problems. He would always ensure that I was completely at ease to talk about anything with him.

Dr Goswamy could choose to live anywhere in the world, but he preferred Chandigarh, Maybe because he was a thinker and needed the quiet. The city will never be the same without him, neither the world of Indian art.

I understand that this must be a particularly sad day for those who studied from him. Several decades back, he was offered to head the National Museum, but he refused as he did not want to leave teaching.

As this day comes to an end, I am thinking — will be ever be lucky to listen to someone like him who could make the most academic lectures so interesting?

(One of the first Indian artists to practice conceptual photography, multiple award-winning photographer Diwan Manna is the President of Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi)

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Asia News China Obituary

Former Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang Dies

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a government work report at the opening meeting of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei/IANS)

Li was known as one of the smartest political figures of his generation…reports Asian Lite News

China’s former premier Li Keqiang, who was once known as the second most powerful man in the ruling Chinese Communist Party after President Xi Jinping, passed away in Shanghai on Friday. He was 68.

Xinhua news agency reported that Li had been “resting” in Shanghai when he suddenly had a a heart attack on Thursday.

He passed away at 12.10 a.m. on Friday after “all rescue measures failed”, it added.

Li was known as one of the smartest political figures of his generation, being accepted into the prestigious Peking University Law School soon after the universities were reopened following the Cultural Revolution, the BBC reported.

He served as the premier for a decade from 2013 to March this year.

During his time in the role, he navigated the Asian giant through a challenging period of rising technology and trade disputes with the US, mounting government debt and unemployment, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his final year in power, li had been a strong voice warning of challenges to China’s economy amid widespread Covid-19 lockdowns.

He backed efforts to boost employment and maintain economic stability.

Li’s death is being widely mourned on Chinese social media, with many expressing shock.

“This is too sudden, he was so young,” said one user on Chinese social media site Weibo.

Another said his death was like losing “a pillar of our home”.

When he stepped down, Li was 67 — one year short of the unofficial retirement age for senior Chinese Communist Party leaders.

He was succeeded as premier by former Shanghai party chief and Xi loyalist Li Qiang.

ALSO READ: China Bans Tibetan Language in Sichuan School Curriculum

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Arts & Culture Lite Blogs Obituary

Ajit Ninan: The Iconic Cartoonist Who Shaped a Generation’s Humour

With its judicious mix of local situations and characters, the comic was part-thriller, part-satire, and it became a permanent fixture on the last page of school notebooks, in our fan fiction strips…reports Asian Lite News

For the metro living, school-going lot of the ’80s (sans 24×7 television, social media or even those battery-operated video games), waiting for the children’s magazine ‘Target’ was a monthly part of growing up.

No sooner would the mag arrive, the young lot would huddled over each other, and would crack up from the very early pages. This would be our monthly rendezvous with Ajit Ninan.

Right after the first page, the young readers would break into laughter with Ajit’s Funny World, a double spread of wordless visual gags that probably were our first lessons of reading pictures.

Making those visual connections and getting the joke over different situations, identifying with the characters and situations that were steeped in the local worlds around us, would be our first exposure to looking for humour in our daily lives. But there was more to come.

A page or two later would arrive a two-page comic that a generation or two would and still remembers fondly. A balding man with big round eyes and pointed moustache spiking out was Detective Moochwala who was everyone’s favourite.

With its judicious mix of local situations and characters, the comic was part-thriller, part-satire, and it became a permanent fixture on the last page of school notebooks, in our fan fiction strips.

Inspired by the original, our notebook Moochwala had to solve our immediate problems of school tests, agonising teachers and what not, but the way we wanted it. Thanks to Ninan’s simple, neat draughtsmanship, the lines were minimal, which made Moochwala easy to copy, draw and address our issues.

Remember those were the days when reading comics in school was a taboo, an under-the-desk activity, Moochwala moved with us swiftly as we were outgrowing our Hardy Boys, Nancy Drews or even Phantoms and Mandrakes.

Moochwala was our own. He came from our neighbourhood without the aesthetic burden of western comics that Fauladi Singh or Nagraj still live with. Close to it, Hindi readers had Pran’s Chacha Choudhury and his assistant Sabu, or Abid Surti’s Dabbooji, but English-speaking Moochwala was closer to a middle-aged local Tintin with his dog, solving issues of national importance through canny thinking and local ‘jugaad’. Probably he and his fellow cartoon characters were our first ambassadors of ‘vocal for local’ too.

Soon, as we moved to senior school, Ninan too moved on from the magazine to a daily, expected to churn out more serious, political stuff. Our journeys seemed identical one would say. And this is where it got even more interesting.

When political cartoonists had an important role to play in journalism, Ninan’s cartoons regularly arrived on the front page, sometimes as the lead story. Such was the power of the cartoonist’s desk, that a strong politically scathing, visually biting satire would be considered as a comment from the newspaper as a whole or even a visual editorial.

And this is where Ninan excelled. His cartoon edits or the pocket strip or even his political illustrations were what made it quintessentially an Ajit Ninan work, more than his strong drawing ability, his lines or expressions or the laughs; it was his visual comment.

In that sense he played by the book and did exactly what a political cartoon is expected to do (besides raising a chuckle) — to make a strong visual comment. Ninan’s visual idioms were never to be missed, however small or big or lead or thumbnail the piece might have been. Here too he pushed the reader to read his work and not just see.

As a follower, from a school kid to a practitioner, following the expanse of Ajit Ninan’s work was always exasperating. From gags to comic strips to daily pocket cartoons to cartoon editorials to plain, descriptive illustrations, he was a tireless master of it all, never compromising on his sense of humour.

“The range, the time, the energy, how does he do it?” One could say I would’ve aged with that question. But not until I met him. Decades back, when I was interviewing the man himself, the lines blurred between personal fandom and professional need of the hour.

I was to the point: “Tell me a day in your life, or how do you pack in so much within these hours.” He laughed and kept drawing, sticking to the requirements of the professional task at hand. Name a political figure and he would draw in seconds without a reference, and make the same facial expressions as he drew them for the character.

The answer to my query was simple, he just enjoyed and enjoyed every line he drew. And that’s what made him constantly create, laugh and make us laugh.

Ninan’s passing is both a rude shock and a gigantic loss in the shrinking world of Indian cartooning. I am convinced there was much more to come from his desk.

ALSO READ-Iowa newspaper apologises to Indian Americans, Ramaswamy for ‘racist’ cartoon

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Kerala Lite Blogs Obituary

Farewell to a Maestro: Director Siddique’s demise leaves void in the Industry

In 2011 he came out with the successful Bollywood remake of his own Malayalam film ‘Bodyguard’ by the same name, which starred Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor…reports Asian Lite News

Popular Malayalam film director Siddique passed away at a private hospital here on Tuesday night, film industry sources said. He was 68.

The multifaceted film personality, who had been a shining star in the movie industry, was admitted to the hospital for the few weeks due to life-style diseases. His condition worsened on Monday after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Siddique began as a mimicry artiste and then turned to script and story writing and made his debut with the film ‘Pappan Priyapette Pappan’ in 1986. In 1989, he teamed up with Lal and made his directorial debut with the block-buster film ‘Ramjirao Speaking’. The duo followed it up with a series of hit films including ‘In Harihara Nagar’, ‘Godfather’, ‘Vietnam Colony’ and ‘Kabooliwala’.

In 1996, he became an independent director with ‘Hitler’ starring superstar Mammooty. From then on till 2020, he directed around 15 films, most of which turned out to be hits.

In 2011 he came out with the successful Bollywood remake of his own Malayalam film ‘Bodyguard’ by the same name, which starred Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

His last film was ‘Big Brother’ starring Mohanlal which released in 2020.

Siddique was known for his soft character, someone who always maintained a low profile which made him the darling of the film industry.

His last rites will performed on Wednesday before which his body will be kept for the public to pay their homage at an indoor stadium here from Wednesday morning till noon.

Condoling the death of the master director, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recalled Siddique as one who turned the common man’s issues into hugely popular films.

“The craft of Siddique, which was visible in his films, will be etched in the minds of all those who have seen his films. His demise is an irreparable loss to Kerala,” said Vijayan.

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Kerala Obituary Politics

Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy passes away

K. Karunakaran, A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy,

Chandy will go down in the history of Kerala Assembly records as the longest-serving legislator in the state…reports Asian Lite News

Senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy, who served as Chief Minister of Kerala twice, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru in the wee hours of Tuesday.

Chandy, 79, had not been keeping well for quite some time and was staying in Bengaluru since November last year.  He was ailing from throat cancer.

As a mark of respect, the Kerala government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday. Also, a two-day mourning will be observed in the state.

Chandy will go down in the history of Kerala Assembly records as the longest-serving legislator in the state. 

He won his first election in 1970 from his home constituency Puthupally in Kottayam district. When he passed away, he was the sitting legislator from the same constituency and was an MLA for an uninterrupted 53 years.

His body, according to his family, will be flown from Bengaluru later in the day to state capital Thiruvananthapuram and the funeral is being planned to be held at his home parish at Puthupally on Wednesday.

It was last year, he edged out K.M.Mani – the Kerala Congress veteran – in terms of the number of years being a legislator.

Condolences started to pour in with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recalled his association with Chandy as they both made their debut in the Kerala Assembly in 1970. “We started our political journey together through student politics and continued a very long way. Chandy was always with the people and it’s tough to say goodbye to him,” said Vijayan.

His long-time close aide and the country’s longest-serving Defence Minister A.K.Antony said the loss of Chandy is by far the biggest loss to him and to his family. “…He will go down as the most popular politician in Kerala as even when on his deathbed, his only thinking was how to help people. Kerala will miss Chandy very badly,” Antony said, adding that right from 1973, they used to share everything and Chandy was the one who can never be replaced.

‘Tribute to the stalwart’

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and several other party leaders on Tuesday condoled the death of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy saying he stood tall as leader of masses and his visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Kerala’s progress and the nation’s political landscape.

In a tweet, Kharge said, “My humble tribute to the stalwart Oommen Chandy, Former Kerala Chief Minister and a staunch Congress man who stood tall as a leader of the masses. His unwavering commitment and visionary leadership left an indelible mark on Kerala’s progress and the nation’s political landscape. He will be remembered for his dedication and service to the people.”

“Heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters,” he added.

Recalling him as a pillar of party, who dedicated his life to service, party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Deepest condolences to the family of Oommen Chandy. He was a pillar of the Congress party, a leader who dedicated his life to service and was deeply committed to the values we are fighting for today.”

“We will all remember him with great respect and miss his wise counsel,” she said.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also condoled the death of the veteran party leader by calling him an extraordinary personality and a truly mass leader. “A man of great simplicity and unfailing courtesy, he was a 24×7 politician giving everything he had to the welfare of his constituents and of the people of Kerala. His tenure as CM was notable for many achievements that were widely lauded and recognised by the UN as well. I was privileged to have known him for years and still recall our joint visits to various settlements in Attappadi ten years ago,” he said.

Even Congress paid tributes to the former Chief Minister on its official Twitter handle it said, “Deeply saddened by the passing of former Kerala CM and esteemed Congress leader, Oommen Chandy. “A stalwart in politics, his contributions to Kerala’s progress and development will always be remembered. A true statesman, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the party said.

Chandy, 79, who served as Chief Minister of Kerala twice, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru in the wee hours of Tuesday.

He had not been keeping well for quite some time and was staying in Bengaluru since November last year. He was ailing from throat cancer.

As a mark of respect, the Kerala government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday.  A two-day mourning will be also observed in the state.

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Milan Kundera : To be a writer means to discover truth

Even amid this, Kundera remained one of the world’s most translated authors for his ten-odd novels, a collection of short stories, again 10-odd collections of essays, works of poetry, plays and one screenplay of a novel, and others…writes Vikas Datta

Milan Kundera, most of whose landmark novels were written in his French exile, always chose to label himself as a part of French literature.

Yet, his inherited Central European intellectual tradition of philosophical reflection, particularly on the role of humans in the universe, and the relationship between the state (mostly totalitarian) and individual in motifs such as memory, truth and loyalty, permeates his works.

When he began writing in his native Czech and then switched over to French, the works of Kundera, who passed away in Paris on Tuesday aged 94, defied easy classification. Kundera seemed to revel in this ambiguity as he cited one of the most celebrated Central European authors in support of his stand.

“Do you realise that people don’t know how to read Kafka simply because they want to decipher him?” he  said in a 1983 interview to ‘Paris Review ‘. “Instead of letting themselves be carried away by his unequaled imagination, they look for allegories — and come up with nothing but cliches: life is absurd (or it is not absurd), God is beyond reach (or within reach), etc. You can understand nothing about art, particularly modern art, if you do not understand that imagination is a value in itself.”

The very next year he elaborated on the novel’s purpose, contending that one “that does not uncover a hitherto unknown segment of existence is immoral. Knowledge is the novel’s only morality”. This did not, however, stop him from bringing in contemporary politics to buttress his usual motifs, especially public memory.

“The bloody massacre in Bangladesh quickly covered over the memory of the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia, the assassination of Allende drowned out the groans of Bangladesh, the war in the Sinai Desert made people forget Allende, the Cambodian massacre made people forget Sinai, and so on and so forth until ultimately everyone lets everything be forgotten,” he wrote in his magical realism-tinged “The Book of Laughter and Forgetting” (1979 in Czech, published 1981, first published in French in 1979 and in English in 1980).

He continued: “In times when history still moved slowly, events were few and far between and easily committed to memory. They formed a commonly accepted backdrop for thrilling scenes of adventure in private life. Nowadays, history moves at a brisk clip. A historical event, though soon forgotten, sparkles the morning after with the dew of novelty.”

Even amid this, Kundera remained one of the world’s most translated authors for his ten-odd novels, a collection of short stories, again 10-odd collections of essays, works of poetry, plays and one screenplay of a novel, and others.

His best known novel is “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” (in Czech and finished in 1982, but published first in French and English in 1984 and in Czech 1985), tracing the life and experiences of two women, two men — and their torturous relationships — and a dog during the 1968 Prague Spring.

It features amply what can be deemed one of his favourite tropes — of Nietzsche’s Eternal Recurrence, or the postulate that everything happens again and again (though thankfully for most humans, without recollection), as well as the mind-body dichotomy, relationships, and more pertinently the effect of ideologies — personal and political — on them.

And amid this, it allows Kundera to wax lyrical on human existence and its concomitant features. Take bon mots like:

“We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come”;

“Necessity, weight, and value are three concepts inextricably bound: only necessity is heavy, and only what is heavy has value”;

“No, vertigo is something other than the fear of falling. It is the voice of emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves”;

“Dreaming is not merely an act of communication; it is also an aesthetic activity, a game of the imagination, a game that is a value in itself.”

These and more provide much food for thought.

Kundera came from an artistically inclined family, being the son of a renowned musicologist from whom he learnt to play the piano and musical notation. This background plays a major role in explaining why his work has a musical cadence.

On the other hand, born on April 1, 1929, in what was then democratic Czechoslovakia, he was too young to remember this period and was not even 10 when its existence was virtually snuffed out by the 1938 Munich Conference.

Hence, the political millieu he grew up in was of the Nazi occupation — and its horrors — and the post-war Communist authoritarianism, where he had an ambivalent, though bitterly ending relationship with the Communist Party, and all this also finds reflection in his works.

Though he did come back to his native land from time to time after the fall of Communism, he stayed more or less in the West — in body and spirit. This made him more qualified to comment on novels more universally as proved by his trilogy of essay collections “The Art of the Novel” (1986), “Testaments Betrayed: An Essay in Nine Parts” (1993) and “The Curtain” (2005).

“The light that radiates from the great novels time can never dim, for human existence is perpetually being forgotten by man and thus the novelists’ discoveries, however old they may be, will never cease to astonish,” Kundera wrote in the first of them.

He went further in the next one. “Suspending moral judgment is not the immorality of the novel; it is its morality. The morality that stands against the ineradicable human habit of judging instantly, ceaselessly, and everyone; of judging before, and in the absence of, understanding. From the view­point of the novel’s wisdom, that fervid readiness to judge is the most detestable stupidity, the most pernicious evil.”

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Business Lite Blogs Obituary

OBIT: Mukesh ‘Micky’ Jagtiani

From its humble beginnings with a single store in Bahrain in 1973, Micky Jagtiani was the driving force in shaping the conglomerate’s extraordinary journey…reports Asian Lite News

The Landmark Group today announced that its eminent Founder and Chairman, Mukesh “Micky” Jagtiani, has passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.

Micky Jagtiani leaves behind a formidable legacy of a leading family-owned business conglomerate in the GCC region and beyond, that he founded and managed for several decades. Renowned for his exceptional leadership, unwavering customer-centric approach, and deep market understanding, his visionary spirit and strategic foresight helped the Landmark Group and its brands become a household name in the community. He will always be known for his inspiring leadership and even more so, for his humility and genuine concern towards all the lives he touched.

From its humble beginnings with a single store in Bahrain in 1973, Micky Jagtiani was the driving force in shaping the conglomerate’s extraordinary journey. His strategic acumen enabled the Landmark Group to emerge as the region’s foremost retail and hospitality conglomerate, with over 2,200 stores in 21 countries across the Middle East and Africa, as well as the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.

He is fondly remembered by his family – his wife- Renuka, his children – Aarti & Savitar, Nisha & Kabir, and Rahul, his grandchildren Samar, Nikhil, Yohan and Aliya – and his beloved Landmark Group community. He leaves behind enduring friendships, partnerships, and bonds with the Group’s senior management, the industry and wider community, whose lives he touched profoundly.

The Landmark Group remains committed to carrying forward his spirit and ensuring the continuing success of his ambitions and dreams A public condolence gathering is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 29th 2023. Further details to be shared.

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Kerala Lite Blogs Obituary

Actor Mammootty bereaved, his mother passes away 

She is survived by the superstar and his five siblings…reports Asian Lite News

The 93-year-old mother of superstar Mammootty, Fathima Ismail, passed away at a private hospital in the wee hours of Friday.

She was suffering from age-related illness.

She is survived by the superstar and his five siblings.

Ismail was known for her the lady-next-door image and was popular in her village, Chembu, near Kochi.

The last rites would be held in the evening Chembu Muslim Jamath Mosque.

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-Top News Asia News Obituary

Musharraf, a forgotten man in Pakistan politics

Former Pakistan army chief and president Pervez Musharraf.(photo:@P_Musharraf/Twitter)

Musharraf’s time in power is filled with major incidents, which are criticised by many as the worst possible blunders, brunt of which is still being suffered by the country at large, report by Hamza Ameer

Former dictator, President and military ruler of Pakistan General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf breathed his last in Dubai after being critically ill for about two years.

Musharraf, 79, was in Dubai since 2006. He was suffering with amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by an abnormal development of protein called amyloid in organs and tissues of the whole body. The increasing development of amyloid tissues made it difficult for the organs and tissues to work properly, which became the reason for Musharraf’s extended illness and death.

Musharraf’s illness was revealed in 2018 when his political party All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) said that he was suffering from the rare disease.

Musharraf’s death is being condoled by political and military quarters as despite his departure from Pakistan and re-settlement in Dubai, he enjoyed close support from the military leadership of Pakistan.

“May Allah bless the departed soul and give strength to bereaved family,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on behalf of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and Services Chiefs in their heartfelt condolences.

Musharraf’s time in power as military chief, a military dictator and later a politician is filled with major incidents, which are criticised by many as the worst possible blunders, brunt of which is still being suffered by the country at large.

Former Pakistan military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.(photo:Twitter/@P_Musharraf)

Musharraf’s time of dictatorship is criticised for not only attracting political embarrassment for Pakistan due to the Kargil operation; but also the Lal Mosque operation which became the trigger point for a reactionary offensive by terrorists on Pakistan after Musharraf made the country an ally to the US-led war on terror.

Musharraf had several cases against him being heard in the Pakistani courts including that of treason, after he imposed a martial law by ousting the then sitting premier Nawaz Sharif in 1999. This happened after Nawaz Sharif tried to dismiss Musharraf as the army chief, having appointed him above more senior officers just the year before.

Musharraf was declared as an absconder as he refused to appear before the Pakistani courts in various cases against him. Musharraf was also someone who used to showcase the Kargil operation as a feather in his cap whenever he would be addressing the India-Pakistan relations.

Musharraf was also among those who had given a four-point solution to the India-Pakistan dispute on Kashmir, which analysts say was on the verge of being finalised. But because Musharraf’s government ended, that major understanding did not materialise.

Musharraf had always remained on the target hit list of terrorists as he narrowly escaped at least three assassination attempts on his life by terrorists. His tenure from 2001 to 2008 was ruled under the backdrop of 9/11 terror attacks on the US, which led to the initiation of military operation by the US against terrorists in Afghanistan.

As per details, Musharraf’s body will be brought back to Pakistan on Monday. A special chartered plane will leave from the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi for Dubai and will bring the body of Musharraf back to Pakistan.

Former Pakistan military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.(photo:Twitter/@P_Musharraf)

The era of misadventures

Musharraf’s tenure in power can he highlighted in many misadventures:

1999 Military Coup: On October 12, 1999, troops of Pakistan army took over the Prime Minster house in Islamabad after Nawaz Sharif prevented Musharraf’s plane from landing at Karachi airport upon his arrival back from Sri Lanka. Musharraf got aware of the situation and declared a state of emergency in the country, suspending the Constitution assuming the role as the chief executive. It was seen as a bloodless coup as no organised protests were witnessed against the coup. Musharraf later became the President of Pakistan, retaining his position as the army chief as well.

The 9/11 impact and Pakistan’s allegiance: After the US announced an all out war against terrorists, announcing its military offensive in Afghanistan against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban; Musharraf agreed to become an ally to Washington in the war, which may be widely criticised but was openly defended by Musharraf on various occasions. Pakistan has started to get financial assistance from the US in the form of a Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to be used to fight against terror groups and elements on Pakistan soil and along the Pak-Afghan border. Along with it, Pakistan also started getting a considerable amount in the form of foreign exchange from the US, which also supported Musharraf’s regime to initiate various development-level initiatives.

However, the financial assistance of CSF from the US came with a set of demands to Pakistan, which included an operation at the Lal mosque, facilitation to NATO forces to fly their drones and planes from Pakistani airbases, permission to carry out drone strikes by using Pakistani airspace and targeting suspected terror installations inside Pakistan and to carry out military offensives anywhere and everywhere the US demanded on Pakistani soil.

The Lal Mosque operation, which many believe became the boiling point of a major surge in terrorist offensive, suicide bombings and attacks on Pakistani security forces and the local at large, was one of the biggest misadventure undertaken by Musharraf on the directions of the US.

Moreover, the Dera Bugti operation is also widely criticised by all of being forced into action despite offers for peace talks by the Bugti tribe leaders. Again, it was stated that the operation was done on the directives of the US.

Musharraf’s power stunt by penetrating and occupying high position in Kargil are also something that he claimed to be his success story, but was widely consumed as another misadventure, that later brought political embarrassment to the country.

It was also reported that Musharraf, after the Kargil operation retreat, was pressurised by the US to not only call back his troops but also to take a step forward and extend a peace and friendship message towards India. It was because of the same pressure that Musharraf did that famous handshake with the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the SAARC conference in Sri Lanka.

The Musharraf legacy will certainly be written in bitter and sweet memory and as someone, who was strong-headed enough to commit misadventures of such grave intensity that they could trigger a nuclear war between India and Pakistan.

ALSO READ: Pakistan’s oil industry on brink of collapse

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-Top News Asia News Obituary

Pervez Musharraf: Architect of Kargil War

Musharraf remained the longest-serving president of Pakistan as he took after taking over the country’s reins…reports Asian Lite News

Former Pakistan President and military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, who had been living in Dubai since 2016, breathed his last on Sunday, local media reported.

The 79-year-old former chief of army staff was suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by a build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in organs and tissues throughout the body, according to his family. The build-up of amyloid proteins (deposits) can make it difficult for the organs and tissues to work properly.

Musharraf assumed the post of Chief Executive after imposing martial law in the country in 1999 and served as the president of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008, The Express Tribune reported.

The former president’s family moved from New Delhi to Karachi in 1947. He joined the Pakistan Army in 1964 and was a graduate of the Army Staff and Command College, Quetta.

The military ruler also took part in the 1965 and 1971 wars, Geo News reported.

He was promoted to the rank of general in 1998 and took over as the chief of army staff (COAS). A year later on October 12, 1999, Gen (retd) Musharraf usurped power in a coup d’etat.

NSC Pre-Brief. Meeting with the President of Pakistan. Oval. Pic credits Wikipedia

Musharraf remained the longest-serving president of Pakistan as he took after taking over the country’s reins. He was elected as the president through a referendum in 2002 and remained in office till 2008, Geo News reported.

During his tenure, the military leader accepted the US proposal for Pakistan to become a frontline ally after the 9/11 incident.

Later in 2004, he was elected as a president in uniform for five year via 17th Amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan.

Musharraf is also known for anti-constitutional measures to depose the judges of Supreme Court in November 2007, which marked the beginning of Lawyers’ Movement – also known as the Movement for the Restoration of Judiciary, Geo News reported.

Following a movement led by the political parties, Musharraf resigned as the president on August 18, 2008.

Former Pakistan military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.(photo:Twitter/@P_Musharraf)

The former military ruler was sentenced to death by a special court on December 17, 2019, under Article 6 of the Constitution. A case of high treason was filed against him during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) tenure.

Musharraf was present in the court on March 31, 2016, when he was indicted on the charges.

Later, he flew out of the country due to his illness, Geo News reported.

Reacting to the news, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad, and tri-services chiefs expressed heartfelt condolences on the former army chief’s demise.

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