Musharraf Makes Plea For Middle East Diplomacy During ASIS Keynote

Former Pakistani President and military leader Pervez Musharraf made an impassioned plea for non-military, sociopolitical diplomacy in the Middle East, a region he described as currently a “nuclear flashpoint.”

Recalling the history of conflicts between Pakistan and India, particularly the wars in 1948, 1965, and 1971, and their later ramifications on the United States’ war on terror, the former army general said, “I pray to God we do not create another blunder.”

Musharraf made the comments Thursday to a packed auditorium at the Dallas Convention Center to kick off day three of ASIS 2010 -- the same day a divisional court in Pakistan dismissed charges of treason against him that were brought two years ago when the country’s ruling coalition accused Musharraf of imposing emergency rule so he could fire senior judges.

At the time, the coalition said Musharraf’s actions were part of an effort to get past legal challenges to his then-plan to run for a second term in office. Although he has been living in London after quitting as Pakistan’s president in 2008, facing the possibility of impeachment charges, Musharraf has said he plans to return to Pakistan. On Oct. 2, the former leader announced he is starting a new political party, the All Pakistan Muslim League.

Musharraf said the “root cause of terrorism in the Muslim world” resulting from any number of conflicts in the Middle East since the last half of the twentieth century “has given the feeling that Muslims around the world are being targeted.”

He added, “That is the perception, but that is not my reality.” He said for Pakistan and the rest of the world diplomatic resolutions must be reached, and a destabilized Pakistan must be avoided.

Speaking of his ties to the United States post-9/11, both in his role as a chief ally in the United States’ struggle against the Taliban and in the global war on terror in general, Musharraf said, “We will win when we get in the dominant position.” He added that “this time, it’s going to be more serious.”

Musharraf said he was privileged to speak “frankly and sincerely” to the ASIS audience. He concluded: “We are passing through very dangerous times, ladies and gentlemen. And now is the time we must make decisions, decisions in Iraq and Pakistan that will affect the world. Daily blind quitting is not an option.”

About the Author

Ronnie Rittenberry is print managing editor for Security Products and Occupational Health and Safety magazines.

Featured

  • 12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    Understanding crime statistics in your industry and area is crucial for making important decisions about your security budget. With so much information out there, how can you know which statistics to trust? Read Now

  • Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    In alignment with the state of Mississippi’s mission of “Empowering Mississippi citizens to stay connected and engaged with their government,” Salient's CompleteView VMS is being installed throughout more than 150 state boards, commissions and agencies in order to ensure safety for thousands of constituents who access state services daily. Read Now

  • Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    This year’s Live From GSX program was a rousing success! Again, we’d like to thank our partners, and IPVideo, for working with us and letting us broadcast their solutions to the industry. You can follow our Live From GSX 2023 page to keep up with post-show developments and announcements. And if you’re interested in working with us in 2024, please don’t hesitate to ask about our Live From programs for ISC West in March or next year’s GSX. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • People Say the Funniest Things

    People Say the Funniest Things

    By all accounts, GSX version 2023 was completely successful. Apparently, there were plenty of mix-ups with the airlines and getting aircraft from the East Coast into Big D. I am all ears when I am in a gathering of people. You never know when a nugget of information might flip out. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.” 3

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3