Ali Nawaz Awan who serves as the special assistant to the Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority has blamed the country’s former generals and ex-army chiefs for some of the challenges faced by Pakistan.
Appearing as a guest on a show titled Dunya Kamran Shahid Kay Saath alongside Lt Gen (retd) Amjad Shoaib, Awan said, “You’ve given your judgment call on how much idealism has damaged this country, but I want to say that the amount of damage that fanaticism has caused to this country, nothing compares to that”.
As the discussion heated, Awan further added, “Take for instance Iskander Mirza, General Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq, and General Pervez Musharraf. One [urges masses to take part in] Jihad Fi Sabilillah while the other says he wants enlightened moderation”.
He lashed out saying one of the ex-army chiefs was responsible for “pushing Pakistan into someone else’s war” while another was to blame for the drone attacks in the country, referring to former army chiefs General Zia and Musharraf.
Awan lambasted Musharraf, adding that earlier Pakistan’s citizens were arrested to be handed over to other countries for interrogation.
Awan defended “idealism” saying that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) was formed 26 years ago and had worked its way up on the basis of hard work.
He continued, “How can you compare our government of three years with their fanaticism, that has destroyed Pakistan?”
Lt Gen (retd) Amjad Shoaib interjected, “So then you have also played your part in destroying the country. That’s fine now, isn’t it?”
Awan shot back, “We will also show you how we can rectify things. You have destroyed entire generations, told them Jihad Fi Sabilillah”.
To which the retired general replied, “Ali Awan, let me tell you that you need just one year to destroy the country. You don’t need three years for that”.
Awan replied, “Then why did you take 37 years?”
