Zulfiqar Ahmad
ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: Musharraf at Shandur. After many years, former military strongman Pervez Musharraf is set to dance with the people of Chitral again. He is as fit as a fiddle. He is all set to grace a gathering being organized in his honour by a group of Chitrali students in Karachi on February 21.
A representative of the group said Musharraf expressed his desire to spend some time with his Chitrali supporters and fans as he considers Chitral and northern areas of Pakistan as his second home. The representative said the function was being organized as Pervez Musharraf had expressed the desire to meet his fans from Chitral.
The arrangements have been finalized at Marriott hotel in Karachi where the Chitralis will be allowed to participate. The hotel hall where the unction will be arranged has reportedly been booked after Sadruddin Hashwani, the owner of the hotel, who is also a friend of the former president, agreed to give some concession to the organizers for hosting the dignitary. There were also reports that the president of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Chitral chapter Prince Khalid Pervez has also pledged a sum of Rs200,000 to organize the function.
When contacted, Khalid Pervez said the Chitrali students in Karachi had requested him to arrange a meeting with Gen Musharraf to seek his help for building a hostel for Chitrali students in the port city. He said that Pervez Musharraf owes a lot to Chitralis and a grand musical gala will be organized in his honour, adding the folk artists from the valley will be invited to make the function enthralling.
He called upon the Chitralis living in Karachi to give a warm welcome to their beloved leader who changed the destiny of Chitrali by opening the Lowari tunnel, for which no other leader made any practical effort except mere rhetoric. The general used to visit the valley quite often when he was president of Pakistan. He also regularly attended Shandur polo festival when he was holding the power.
The people of Chitral especially his fans could be seen displaying his portraits. They still miss the unique dancing skills of their former leader which he demonstrated from the core of heart on several occasions when folk artists started beating the drums during Shandur polo festival.
The chivalrous military commando known for his love for music and dance is expected to jump on the stage after long time as a group of folk dancers and artists of Chitral are also rehearsing to captivate the audience as well as the chief guest.