Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique lashed out at General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Saturday, calling the former president an enemy of the people.
In a series of tweets around 1pm, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader said Musharraf's dictatorial policies shook the foundations of the country.
پرویز مشرف آئین شکن اور عوام دشمن تھے- انُ کی آمرانہ پالیسیوں نے پاکستان کی بنیادیں ھِلا ڈالیں-
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) August 5, 2017
"Musharraf was saved and sent out of the country but in the court of history, he cannot save himself from being termed a national criminal and usurper," said Rafique.
He said dictators have joined the waste bin of history and that no one will cry on their grave.
ڈکٹیٹر تاریخ کے کوڑا دان کی نذر ھو گئے- ان کی قبر پر رونے والا کوٸ نہیں-منتخب حکمرانوں کی کارکردگی انکی خامیوں پر حاوی رھی سو وہ یاد رکھےگئے
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) August 5, 2017
"The performance of the elected representatives was more than their shortcomings hence they have been remembered," claimed Rafique.
He argued that dictators bring forth artificial change and fake development, and in order to legitimise their rule, make deals on the nation’s sovereignty.
ڈکٹیٹر جعلی ترقی اور مصنوعی تبدیلیُ لاتے ھیں- اپنے ناجائز اقتدار کو دوام دینے کیلئے قومی خود مختاری پر سمجھوتے کرتےھیں۔
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) August 5, 2017
"Pakistan’s dictators show the people their fists and lick the boots of the enemies," he said further.
In an interview to BBC a few days ago, Gen (retd) Musharraf said in Pakistan, military rulers put the country on the correct track while the civilian governments derail it from the right path.
The former president went on to say, “If we compare the past records of civilian and military governments, Pakistan always progressed during dictatorship regimes.”
پاکستانی ڈکٹیٹرقوم کو مُکےدکھاتےاوراغیار کےتلوے چاٹتےھیں-مشرف بچاکرنکال دئے گئےمگرتاریخ کی عدالت میں غاصب اورقومی مجرم کےلقب سے نہیں بچ سکتے
— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) August 5, 2017
To a question, the former military ruler said: “Ousting the government is only the right of the masses, however, the situation in Pakistan is absolutely different. This right is exercised when there are a check and balance in the Constitution. People themselves come to the military to get rid of the civilian governments. People also came to me to do so — and I took over the civilian government on their demand.”
“While protecting the Constitution, we can’t destroy the nation, however, the Constitution can be slightly ignored for protecting the nation.”
Musharraf said the case against him under Article 6 is inappropriate.
To another question pertaining to the assistance in his exit from Pakistan, Musharraf said, “I remained the army chief and I believe the army will always consider my welfare.”