General Pervez Musharraf’s mother never thought very
high about her son, nicknamed ‘palloo’ during
his childhood, she said in a TV interview on March 8.
“Pervez Musharraf committed more
to sports and games than studies during his childhood...
This was a matter of real concern,” she said, adding
“I was really worried about his future… I
never thought or dreamt that my son would become the country’s
President.”
The report on the interview was carried
by the official news agency APP and was published by major
Pakistani newspapers including The Nation, which is under
government attack these days as all official advertisements
have been canceled.
The APP said: “Begum Zarin Musharraf,
mother of President Pervez Musharraf, has said that sacrifice
of life for the country and nation is a gainful bargain
but she has never been scared of life attempts on her
son.
My son has participated in wars as a soldier
and I have always expected that he can embrace martyrdom
while defending his homeland, Begum Zarin told a local
TV channel in an interview.
She said, Musharraf is a brave and bold person having
excellent ability of decision making.
He thinks well before making a decision and always decides
right, she said adding he always remains normal and calm
on such occasions.
He always takes things in their positive
perspective with a note of optimism while making important
decisions.
She wished her son succeeds in achieving
settlement of the long-standing Kashmir issue saying,
“I wish the credit goes to him and I am quite optimistic."
Begum Zarin said, those involved in life
attempts on her son are terrorists and extremists.
Recalling early days of her life, Begum Sahiba said, she
graduated from Delhi University in 1931 and obtained a
master’s degree in history from Lucknow University
in 1944-45.
I had three sons but no daughter she said,
all of her sons are leading a successful life. She said,
her son Javed Musharraf presently settled in Rome was
a brilliant child throughout his academic career.
Naveed Musharraf, a bit silly during his
childhood was yet a promising student and fully devoted
to his studies, she said. He is presently serving as a
doctor in Chicago, she informed.
Pervez Musharraf committed more to supports
(misspelled, meaning sports) and games than studies during
his childhood was a matter of real concern, she said adding
“I was really worried about his future.”
Asked was there any nick name for Pervez
Musharraf during his childhood she said, it was only for
some time that he was called ‘palloo’ by his
family members but the term could not go along with him
as he grew up and was forgotten.
She said it was my idea that Pervez should
join the army vis-a-vis his fondness for sports and his
physical appearance.
During his career in the army, I had been
praying for his progress and promotion she said adding
I wished he reaches the rank of Chief of Army Staff.
I never thought or dreamt that my son
would become the country’s President, she said.
It is a gift from Almighty Allah that he attained this
status, she added.
Recalling the day of October 12 when the
plane with his son onboard was not allowed to land on
country’s airports she said, the eight hours time
was a doomsday for his father and me.
Neither we had any knowledge nor any body
from outside was telling what is going to happen. We were
sitting before the TV screen and it was only after the
suspension of TV transmission that some people from outside
gave us some good hope, she said.
To a question Begum Sahiba said that she
mostly resides with President Musharraf because his wife
is very nice and a caring lady, she remarked.
About her everyday routine the content
lady said, she wakes up at five in the morning and leaves
for a walk after taking a shower.
On coming back from walk, she offers her
morning prayers and recites the Holy Quran and goes back
to bed for an hour or so.
In her message to young ladies Begum Sahiba
said, the women should play their due role in nation building
activities but they should also take care about the good
up bringing of their off springs to make them responsible
members of the society.
I have been a working women
throughout my life and have also ensured good training
of my children, she concluded.
