Chaudhry Bros wanted non-political president after Musharraf: WikiLeaks

KARACHI: A secret cable of 2008 has revealed that at the time when Pervaiz Musharraf’s exit was expected, Chaudhry Brothers had insisted the US that Pakistan should have a non-political president.

Former US Ambassador in Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson wrote to Washington that prior to Pervaiz Musharraf’s resignation as president, Chaudhry brothers had put pressure on the US to ensure that the next president would not be a political figure.

The Americans wanted Musharraf to stay in Pakistan but Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain informed them that the ISI was making arrangements for his stay in the UAE.

A cable from August 16, 2008 released by Wikileaks revealed that on August 15th Chaudhry Brothers met the US ambassador.

Chaudhry Shujaat told the ambassador that it would be beneficial for the US and PML-Q if Musharraf was to defend allegations against him and resign. The ambassador informed him that the US would not get involved in the matter.

Chaudhry Brothers wanted that Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Kiyani guarantee the safety of Musharraf.

Chaudhy Shujaat and Pervez Elahi also told the US ambassador that Nawaz Sharif would never accept Asif Ali Zardari as president and even the army would resist.

The US ambassador informed them that the Americans did not want Musharraf to be embarrassed and flee the country overnight.