Editing Pervez Musharraf (section)

==Presidency (2001–2008)==
[[File:MSShah.jpg|thumb|President Musharraf with his Military Secretary [[Shafaat Ullah Shah]] at the military parade on the 65th anniversary of [[Resolution Day]] (23 March 2005)]]
[[File:Hamid Karzai, Pervez Musharraf, Fakhruddin Ahmed - WEF Annual Meeting Davos 2008.jpg|thumbnail|left|Musharraf with [[Hamid Karzai]] and [[Fakhruddin Ahmed]] at the Annual Meeting 2008 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland]]
{{Rquote|left|The President [Musharraf] stood clapping his hands right next to [[Junoon (band)|us]] as we sang ''[[Azadi (album)|Azadi]]'' and ''[[Jazba-e-Junoon|Jazba]]'', and moved to the beat with us. It was such a relief to "have a coolest leader" in the office...|''[[Junoon (band)|Junoon]]'', 2001|<ref name="Free Press 184">{{cite book |last=Schroeder |first=Salman Ahmad with Robert |title=Rock & roll jihad: a Muslim rock star's revolution |year=2010 |publisher=Free Press |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4165-9767-4 |page=184 |edition=1st Free Press hardcover}}</ref>}}
The presidency of Pervez Musharraf helped bring the [[Liberalism|liberal forces]] to the national level and into prominence, for the first time in the [[history of Pakistan]].<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> He granted national amnesty to the political workers of the liberal parties like Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Muslim League (Q), and supported MQM in becoming a central player in the government. Musharraf disbanded the cultural policies of the previous Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and quickly adopted Benazir Bhutto's cultural policies after disbanding [[Indian media|Indian channels]] in the country.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/>

His cultural policies liberalised Pakistan's [[Media of Pakistan|media]], and he issued many television licences to the [[Privatization in Pakistan|private-sector]] to open television centres and media houses.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> The [[Pakistani drama|television dramas]], [[Pakistan film industry|film industry]], [[Theatre of Pakistan|theatre]], [[Music of Pakistan|music]] and literature activities, were personally encouraged by Pervez Musharraf.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> Under his policies, the rock music bands gained a following in the country and many concerts were held each week.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> His cultural policies, the film, theatre, rock and folk music, and television programs were extremely devoted to and promoted the [[Nationalism in Pakistan|national spirit]] of the country.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> In 2001, Musharraf got on stage with the rock music band, [[Junoon (band)|Junoon]], and sang the national song with the band.<ref name="Washington Post, Salman Ahmad">{{cite news |author=Ahmad, Salman |title=A False Choice for Pakistan |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=19 November 2007|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/18/AR2007111800948.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904012439/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/18/AR2007111800948.html|archive-date=4 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On political fronts, Musharraf faced fierce opposition from the ultra-conservative alliance, the MMA, led by clergyman [[Shah Ahmad Noorani|Maulana Noorani]].<ref name="Yale University Press" /> In Pakistan, Maulana Noorani was remembered as a mystic religious leader and had preached spiritual aspects of Islam all over the world as part of the [[World Islamic Mission]].<ref name="Yale University Press" /> Although the political deadlock posed by Maulana Noorani was neutralised after [[Shah Ahmad Noorani|Noorani]]'s death, Musharraf yet had to face the opposition from [[Alliance for Restoration of Democracy|ARD]] led by Benazir Bhutto of the PPP.<ref name="Yale University Press" />

On 18 September 2005, Musharraf made a speech before a broad based audience of Jewish leadership, sponsored by the [[American Jewish Congress]]'s Council for World Jewry, in New York City. He was widely criticised by Middle Eastern leaders, but was met with some praise among Jewish leadership.<ref>Barbara Ferguson [http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=70295&d=19&m=9&y=2005 Musharraf Talks to Jewish Leaders], Arab News (19 September 2005) {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Support for the war on terror and Afghanistan relations===
{{Main|Pakistan's role in the War on Terror}}

Musharraf allied with the United States against the [[Taliban]] in [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Afghanistan]] after the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref name="Washington Post, Salman Ahmad" /> As the closest state to the Taliban government, Musharraf was in negotiations with them in the aftermath of the attacks regarding the severity of the situation<ref>{{Cite news |title=Text: Pakistan President Musharraf |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/specials/attacked/transcripts/pakistantext_091901.html |access-date=6 February 2023 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306092619/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/specials/attacked/transcripts/pakistantext_091901.html |url-status=live }}</ref> before allying with the U.S. and declaring to stamp out extremism.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 December 2003 |title=Musharraf vows to root out Islamism: Banned outfits won't be allowed to resurface |newspaper=Dawn |url=http://archives.dawn.com/2003/12/05/top8.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422174213/http://www.dawn.com/news/128137/musharraf-vows-to-root-out-extremism-banned-outfits-won |archive-date=22 April 2014}}</ref> He was, however criticised by [[NATO]] and the Afghan government of not doing enough to prevent pro Taliban or [[al-Qaeda]] militants in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 March 2013 |title=Pervez Musharraf: Pakistan's military leader who was found guilty of treason |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-21861989 |access-date=6 February 2023 |archive-date=25 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225034710/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-21861989 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2007 |title=The economy under Pervez Musharraf |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/271347/the-economy-under-pervez-musharraf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925020133/http://www.dawn.com/news/271347/the-economy-under-pervez-musharraf |archive-date=25 September 2016 |access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2014 |title=The myth of Musharraf's 'economic boom' needs to die |url=http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/20584/the-myth-of-musharrafs-economic-boom-needs-to-die/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218101243/https://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/20584/the-myth-of-musharrafs-economic-boom-needs-to-die/ |archive-date=18 February 2018 |access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2013 |title=Pakistan: Hold Musharraf Accountable for Abuses |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/23/pakistan-hold-musharraf-accountable-abuses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021020143/https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/23/pakistan-hold-musharraf-accountable-abuses |archive-date=21 October 2016 |access-date=3 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 March 2008 |title=Labour leaders urge Musharraf to quit |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/939190/labour-leaders-urge-musharraf-to-quit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927001402/http://www.dawn.com/news/939190/labour-leaders-urge-musharraf-to-quit |archive-date=27 September 2016 |access-date=24 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC News, Islamabad" />

Tensions with Afghanistan increased in 2006, with [[Hamid Karzai]], then president of Afghanistan, accusing Musharraf of failing to act against Afghan Taliban leaders in Pakistan, claiming that the Taliban leader [[Mullah Omar]] was based in Quetta, Pakistan. In response, Musharraf hit back saying "None of this is true and Karzai knows it."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pilkington |first1=Ed |last2=Walsh |first2=Declan |date=28 September 2006 |title=Bush referees as Karzai and Musharraf meet for dinner |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/28/usa.pakistan |access-date=6 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127084812/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/28/usa.pakistan |url-status=live }}</ref> [[George W. Bush]] encouraged the two leaders to unite in the war on terror during a trio meeting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bush Urges Musharraf, Karzai to Unite in War on Terror |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-09-28-voa2/398028.html |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=VOA |date=31 October 2009 |language=en |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206053540/https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2006-09-28-voa2/398028.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Violence in the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] escalated in the late 2000s amid fighting between militants and Pakistani soldiers backed by the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In the Line of Fire: Are Things Getting too Hot for Musharraf? |url=https://www.rusi.orghttps//www.rusi.org |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=rusi.orghttps |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Relations with India===
[[File:The Chairperson of the National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi calling on the President of Pakistan, General Parvez Musharraf in New Delhi on April 17, 2005.jpg|thumb|left|The Chairperson of the National Advisory Council, Smt. [[Sonia Gandhi]] calling on the President of Pakistan, General Parvez Musharraf in New Delhi on 17 April 2005]]
After the [[2001 Gujarat earthquake]], Musharraf expressed his sympathies to Indian prime minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] and sent a plane load of relief supplies to India.<ref>{{cite news |title=Quake may improve India Pakistan ties |date=2 February 2001 |publisher=CNN |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/south/02/02/india.quake.02/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821221743/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/south/02/02/india.quake.02 |archive-date=21 August 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=18 February 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=BBC News |title=Rival Pakistan offers India help |date=30 January 2001|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1139807.stm |access-date=22 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215054810/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1139807.stm |archive-date=15 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20010203/ina03028.html Gujarat gets Musharraf to dial PM in New Delhi] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004045012/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20010203/ina03028.html |date=4 October 2012}}. Expressindia.com. Retrieved 23 January 2011.</ref>

In 2004, Musharraf began a series of talks with India to resolve the [[Kashmir dispute]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Indurthy |first1=Rathnam |last2=Haque |first2=Muhammad|year=2010|title=The Kashmir Conflict: Why It Defies Solution |journal=International Journal on World Peace |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=17–18 |issn=0742-3640 |jstor=20752914}}</ref> In 2004 a cease-fire was agreed upon along the Line of Control. Many troops still patrol the border.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rashid |first1=Ahmed |title=Pakistan in the Brink |date=2012 |publisher=Allen Lane |isbn=9781846145858 |page=52}}</ref>

===Relations with Saudi Arabia===
In 2006, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia visited Pakistan for the first time as King. Musharraf honoured King Abdullah with the ''[[Nishan-e-Pakistan]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saudiembassy.net/archive/2006/news/page855.aspx |title=King Abdullah ends Asian tour with state visit to Pakistan |publisher=Saudiembassy.net |date=1 February 2006 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322232551/http://www.saudiembassy.net/archive/2006/news/page855.aspx |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Musharraf received the King Abdul-Aziz Medallion in 2007.<ref name="Rasooldeen">Rasooldeen, Mohammed (22 January 2007). {{cite web |url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=91233&d=22&m=1&y=2007 |title=Saudi-Pak Talks Focus on ME |access-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811002310/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=91233&d=22&m=1&y=2007 |archive-date=11 August 2011 }}. arabnews.com</ref>

===Nuclear scandals===
{{Main|Nuclear proliferation}}

[[9/11 attacks|From September 2001]] until his resignation in 2007 from the military, Musharraf's presidency was affected by scandals relating to nuclear weapons, which were detrimental to his authoritative legitimacy in the country and in the international community.<ref name="Newsweek"/> In October 2001, Musharraf authorised a sting operation led by [[Federal Investigation Agency|FIA]] to arrest two physicists [[Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood]] and [[Chaudhry Abdul Majeed]], because of their supposed connection with the [[Taliban]] after they secretly visited [[Taliban-controlled Afghanistan]] in 2000.<ref name="djinn">[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9501EEDB1E30F931A35752C1A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all Pakistani Atomic Expert, Arrested Last Week, Had Strong Pro-Taliban Views] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728084157/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/02/world/nation-challenged-nuclear-fears-pakistani-atomic-expert-arrested-last-week-had.html |date=28 July 2020 }}, ''The New York Times'', 2 November 2001.</ref> The local Pakistani media widely circulated the reports that "Mahmood had a meeting with [[Osama bin Laden]] where Bin Laden had shown interest in building a [[Radiological bomb|radiological weapon]];"<ref name="djinn"/> it was later discovered that neither scientist had any in-depth knowledge of the technology.<ref name="djinn"/><ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/02/world/nation-challenged-nuclear-fears-pakistani-atomic-expert-arrested-last-week-had.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times | title=A Nation Challenged: Nuclear Fears; Pakistani Atomic Expert, Arrested Last Week, Had Strong Pro-Taliban Views | first1=Dennis | last1=Overbye | first2=James | last2=Glanz | date=2 November 2001 | access-date=24 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508121114/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/02/world/nation-challenged-nuclear-fears-pakistani-atomic-expert-arrested-last-week-had.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | archive-date=8 May 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2001, Musharraf authorised security hearings and the two scientists were taken into the custody by the [[Judge Advocate General Branch|JAG Branch]] (JAG); security hearings continued until early 2002.<ref name="djinn"/>

Another scandal arose as a consequence of disclosure by Pakistani nuclear physicist [[Abdul Qadeer Khan]]. On 27 February 2001, Musharraf spoke highly of Khan at a state dinner in Islamabad,<ref name="AQ Khan, Archives">{{cite news|last=Khan|first=Abdul Qadeer|title=Text of Musharraf's speech honoring A.Q. Khan|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-136329-My-services-are-well-known|publisher=AQ Khan, Archives|access-date=18 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218002632/https://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-136329-My-services-are-well-known|archive-date=18 December 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> and he personally approved Khan's appointment as [[Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan)#Science Advisors|Science Advisor to the Government]]. In 2004, Musharraf relieved Abdul Qadeer Khan from his post and initially denied knowledge of the government's involvement in nuclear proliferation, despite Khan's claim that Musharraf was the "Big Boss" of the proliferation ring. Following this, Musharraf authorised a national security hearing, which continued until his resignation from the army in 2007. According to Zahid Malik, Musharraf and the military establishment at that time acted against Abdul Qadeer Khan in an attempt to prove the loyalty of Pakistan to the United States and Western world.<ref name="The Atlantic">{{cite news|author=William Langewiesche|title=The Wrath of Khan|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2005/11/the-wrath-of-khan/304333/|access-date=18 December 2012|newspaper=The Atlantic|date=November 2005|pages=1–10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105021831/http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2005/11/the-wrath-of-khan/304333/|archive-date=5 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Rashid |first1=Ahmed |title=Pakistan in the Brink |date=2012 |publisher=Allen Lane |isbn=9781846145858 |page=60}}</ref>
[[File:Mushbush.jpg|250px|thumb|right|US president George W. Bush and Musharraf address the media in Cross Hall.]]

The investigations backfired on Musharraf and public opinion turned against him.<ref name="Daily Times">{{Cite news|title=ARD condemns scientists' debriefing|newspaper=Daily Times|date=30 January 2004|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_30-1-2004_pg7_31|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070422221145/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_30-1-2004_pg7_31|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2007}}</ref> The populist ARD movement, which included the major [[Pakistani political parties|political parties]] such as the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML]] and the [[Pakistan Peoples Party|PPP]], used the issue to bring down Musharraf's presidency.<ref name="Dawn Archives, 2004">{{cite news|title=ARD urged to cooperate with MMA: Requisitioning of NA session|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2004/02/20/nat6.htm|access-date=18 December 2012|newspaper=Dawn Archives, 2004|date=20 February 2004|agency=Dawn Media Group|page=1|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728084209/https://www.dawn.com/news/351580/ard-urged-to-cooperate-with-mma-requisitioning-of-na-session|url-status=live}}</ref>

The debriefing of Abdul Qadeer Khan severely damaged Musharraf's own public image and his political prestige in the country.<ref name="Dawn Archives, 2004"/> He faced bitter domestic criticism for attempting to vilify Khan, specifically from opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. In an interview to ''[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]'', Bhutto maintained that Khan had been a "[[scapegoat]]" in the nuclear proliferation scandal and said that she did not "believe that such a big scandal could have taken place under the nose of General Musharraf".<ref name="Daily Times, Benazir">{{Cite news|date=18 June 2004|title=Benazir points finger at MQM for Suharwardy's murder|newspaper=Daily Times, Benazir|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_18-6-2004_pg7_25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050107224442/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_18-6-2004_pg7_25|archive-date=7 January 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> Musharraf's long-standing ally, the [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan|MQM]], published criticism of Musharraf over his handling of Abdul Qadeer Khan. The ARD movement and the political parties further tapped into the public anger and mass demonstrations against Musharraf. The credibility of the United States was also badly damaged;<ref name="Dawn Archives, 2004"/> the US itself refrained from pressuring Musharraf to take further action against Khan.<ref name="CNN Archives 2005">{{cite news|author=Quraishi, Ash-har|title=U.S. supports nuclear pardon|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/02/05/pakistan.nuclear/index.html|access-date=18 December 2012|newspaper=CNN Archives 2005|date=5 February 2004|publisher=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417100320/http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/02/05/pakistan.nuclear/index.html|archive-date=17 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> While Abdul Qadeer Khan remained popular in the country,<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news|author=Nirupama Subramanian|title=The undiminished popularity of A.Q. Khan|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/25/stories/2006082504171100.htm|access-date=18 December 2012|quote=For the belief that he single-handedly made the bomb is widespread.|location=Chennai, India|date=25 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014021035/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/25/stories/2006082504171100.htm|archive-date=14 October 2008|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Japan TImes">{{cite news|author=Gautam, B. |title=A.Q. Khan remains a hero in Pakistan | url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20060907a1.html|access-date=18 December 2012|newspaper=The Japan Times|date=7 September 2006}}</ref> Musharraf could not withstand the [[political pressure]] and his presidency was further weakened.<ref name="Daily Times, Benazir"/> Musharraf quickly pardoned Abdul Qadeer Khan in exchange for cooperation and issued [[home confinement|confinement]] orders against Khan that limited Khan's movement.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4965566.stm | work=BBC News | first=Zaffar | last=Abbas | title=Pakistan nuclear case 'is closed' | date=2 May 2006 | access-date=5 October 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023042833/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4965566.stm | archive-date=23 October 2006 | url-status=live }}</ref> He handed over the case of Abdul Qadeer Khan to [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime minister]] Aziz who had been supportive towards Khan, personally "thanking" him: "The services of Dr. Qadeer Khan are unforgettable for the country."<ref name="Pakistan Times">{{cite news|title=Dr. Qadeer's services unforgettable, says PM Shaukat Aziz|url=http://paktribune.com/news/Dr-Qadeers-services-unforgettable-says-PM-Shaukat-Aziz-192877.html|access-date=18 December 2012|newspaper=Pakistan Times|date=26 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517112524/http://paktribune.com/news/Dr-Qadeers-services-unforgettable-says-PM-Shaukat-Aziz-192877.html|archive-date=17 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 4 July 2008, in an interview, Abdul Qadeer Khan laid the blame on President Musharraf and later on Benazir Bhutto for transferring the technology, claiming that Musharraf was aware of all the deals and he was the "Big Boss" for those deals.<ref name="KhanPointsNYT"/> Khan said that "Musharraf gave centrifuges to North Korea in a 2000 shipment supervised by the armed forces. The equipment was sent in a North Korean plane loaded under the supervision of Pakistan security officials."<ref name="KhanPointsNYT">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/world/asia/05pstan.html|title=Pakistani Says Army Knew Atomic Parts Were Shipped|newspaper=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=5 July 2008|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105162427/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/world/asia/05pstan.html|archive-date=5 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Nuclear weapons expert [[David Albright]] of the [[Institute for Science and International Security]] agreed that Khan's activities were government-sanctioned.<ref name="ntiglobal">
The transfer of centrifuges for uranium enrichment to North Korea was almost certainly sanctioned by the government, according to Albright.
{{cite news
| url = http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20100312_1208.php
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100416170346/http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20100312_1208.php
| archive-date = 16 April 2010
| title = Nuclear Smugglers Still at Work, Expert Says
| author = Kitfield, James
| publisher = National Journal, Global Security Newswire
| date = 12 March 2010
}}</ref> After Musharraf's resignation, Abdul Qadeer Khan was released from house arrest by the executive order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. After Musharraf left the country, the new Chairman of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]] General [[General Tariq Majid|Tärik Majid]] terminated all further debriefings of Abdul Qadeer Khan. Few believed that Abdul Qadeer Khan acted alone and the affair risked gravely damaging the Armed Forces, which oversaw and controlled the nuclear weapons development and of which Musharraf was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until his resignation from military service on 28 November 2007.<ref name="Newsweek">Ron Moreau and Zahid Hussain, "[https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-113539853/chain-of-command-the-military-musharraf-dodged-a Chain of Command; The Military: Musharraf dodged a bullet, but could be heading for a showdown with his Army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217191650/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-113539853/chain-of-command-the-military-musharraf-dodged-a |date=17 December 2019 }}", ''Newsweek'', 16 February 2004, p. 20.</ref>

===Corruption issues===
When Musharraf came to power in 1999, he promised that the corruption in the government bureaucracy would be cleaned up. However, some claimed that the level of corruption did not diminish throughout Musharraf's time.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news |author=the BBC's Owen Bennett Jones |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1777889.stm |title=SOUTH ASIA {{pipe}} Musharraf's corruption crackdown 'failing' |work=BBC News |date=23 January 2002 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806063504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1777889.stm |archive-date=6 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Domestic politics===
Musharraf instituted prohibitions on foreign students' access to studying Islam within Pakistan, an effort that began as an outright ban but was later reduced to restrictions on obtaining [[Visa (document)|visas]].<ref>{{cite news |author1=Sappenfield, Mark |author2=Montero, David |name-list-style=amp |date=19 June 2007 |title=Could Pakistan fall to extremists? |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0619/p07s01-wosc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621183758/http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0619/p07s01-wosc.html |archive-date=21 June 2007}}</ref>

In December 2003, Musharraf made a deal with [[Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal|MMA]], a six-member coalition of hardline [[Islamist]] parties, agreeing to leave the army by 31 December 2004.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=December 2004|title=Musharraf's rule in Pakistan: Consolidation and controversy|journal=Strategic Comments|language=en|volume=10|issue=10|pages=1–2|doi=10.1080/1356788041004|s2cid=219693530|issn=1356-7888}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cAR1QiGaLPYC&q=%22Muttahida+Majlis-e-Amal%22+%22December+31,+2004%22|title=Strategic Digest|date=2005|publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.|volume=35|pages=130|language=en|issue=1–6|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205133814/https://books.google.com/books?id=cAR1QiGaLPYC&q=%22Muttahida+Majlis-e-Amal%22+%22December+31,+2004%22|url-status=live}}</ref> With that party's support, pro-Musharraf legislators were able to muster the two-thirds [[supermajority]] required to pass the Seventeenth Amendment, which retroactively legalised Musharraf's 1999 coup and many of his decrees.<ref name="The Irish Times">{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/pakistan-s-musharraf-wins-vote-of-confidence-1.964780|title=Pakistan's Musharraf wins vote of confidence|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-date=28 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728084158/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/pakistan-s-musharraf-wins-vote-of-confidence-1.964780|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Chhabra-2006">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UhsMAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Seventeenth+Amendment%22|title=World Focus|last=Chhabra|first=Hari Sharan|date=2006|volume=27|pages=29|language=en|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205133811/https://books.google.com/books?id=UhsMAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Seventeenth+Amendment%22|url-status=live}}</ref> Musharraf reneged on his agreement with the MMA<ref name="Chhabra-2006" /> and pro-Musharraf legislators in the Parliament passed a bill allowing Musharraf to keep both offices.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3971785.stm|title=Musharraf dual role bill passed|last=Abbas|first=Zaffar|date=1 November 2004|work=BBC News|access-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217104324/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3971785.stm|archive-date=17 December 2019}}</ref>

On 1 January 2004, Musharraf had won a [[confidence vote]] in the [[Electoral College of Pakistan]], consisting of both houses of Parliament and the four provincial assemblies. Musharraf received 658 out of 1170 votes, a 56% majority, but many opposition and Islamic members of parliament walked out to protest the vote. As a result of this vote, his term was extended to 2007.<ref name="The Irish Times" />

Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali resigned on 26 June 2004, after losing the support of Musharraf's party, [[PML(Q)]]. His resignation was at least partially due to his public differences with the party chairman, [[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]]. This was rumoured to have happened at Musharraf's command. Jamali had been appointed with the support of Musharraf's and the pro-Musharraf PML(Q). Most PML(Q) parliamentarians formerly belonged to the Pakistan Muslim League party led by Sharif, and most ministers of the cabinet were formerly senior members of other parties, joining the PML(Q) after the elections upon being offered positions. Musharraf nominated [[Shaukat Aziz]], the minister for finance and a former employee of [[Citibank]] and head of Citibank Private Banking as the new prime minister.<ref>{{cite news |title=Musharraf's choice elected as new PM |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/musharrafs-choice-elected-as-new-pm-558039.html |work=The Independent |date=28 August 2004 |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201625/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/musharrafs-choice-elected-as-new-pm-558039.html |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2005, the [[Bugti]] clan attacked a gas field in Balochistan, after Dr. Shazia was raped at that location. Musharraf responded by dispatching 4,500 soldiers, supported by tanks and helicopters, to guard the gas field.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Walsh, Declan |title=Pakistan's gas fields blaze as rape sparks threat of civil war |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 February 2005 |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/feb/21/pakistan.declanwalsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529184746/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/feb/21/pakistan.declanwalsh|archive-date=29 May 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Women's rights===
[[File:Musharraf and Bush 2006-09-22.jpg|thumb|right|250px|President Musharraf is greeted by President Bush in Washington in September 2006.]]
The National Assembly voted in favour of the "[[Women's Protection Bill]]" on 15 November 2006 and the Senate approved it on 23 November 2006. President General Pervez Musharraf signed into law the "Women's Protection Bill", on 1 December 2006. The bill places rape laws under the penal code and allegedly does away with harsh conditions that previously required victims to produce four male witnesses and exposed the victims to prosecution for adultery if they were unable to prove the crime.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.dawn.com/2006/12/02/top7.htm |title=Musharraf signs women's bill |work=Dawn |date=2 December 2006 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914193255/http://archives.dawn.com/2006/12/02/top7.htm |archive-date=14 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
However, the Women's Protection bill has been criticised heavily by many for paying continued lip service and failing to address the actual problem by its roots: repealing the [[Hudood Ordinances|Hudood Ordinance]]. In this context, Musharraf has also been criticised by women and human rights activists for not following up his words by action.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Zakaria, Rafia|title=Terror, tribes, and the war on women in Pakistan|year=2009|journal=Asian Conflicts Reports|volume=2009|issue=8|url=http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/CATR_AsianConflictsReports_TerrorTribesAndTheWarOnWomenInPakistan.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712231656/http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/documents/CATR_AsianConflictsReports_TerrorTribesAndTheWarOnWomenInPakistan.pdf|archive-date=12 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail//?ots591=4888CAA0-B3DB-1461-98B9-E20E7B9C13D4&lng=en&id=52716 |title='Protecting' women for political gain in Pakistan |publisher=International Relations and Security Network (ISN)|location=Zurich, Switzerland|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116180012/http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail//?ots591=4888CAA0-B3DB-1461-98B9-E20E7B9C13D4&lng=en&id=52716|archive-date=16 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that "The so-called Women's Protection Bill is a farcical attempt at making Hudood Ordinances palatable" outlining the issues of the bill and the continued impact on women.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/Archives%20Reports/AR2006.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100319193227/http://www.hrcp-web.org/pdf/Archives%20Reports/AR2006.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2010 |title=State of Human Rights in 2006 |access-date=30 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

His government increased reserved seats for women in assemblies, to increase women's representation and make their presence more effective. The number of reserved seats in the National Assembly was increased from 20 to 60. In provincial assemblies, 128 seats were reserved for women. This situation has brought out increase participation of women in the 1988 and 2008 elections.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/more-women-in-pakistan-polls-signals-political-freedom_10020351.html |title=More women in Pakistan polls signals 'political freedom' |publisher=Thaindian News |date=23 February 2008 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017070020/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/more-women-in-pakistan-polls-signals-political-freedom_10020351.html |archive-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2005, a couple of months after the rape of a Pakistani physician, Dr. Shazia Khalid, working on a government gas plant in the remote [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] province, Musharraf was criticised for pronouncing Captain Hammad, a fellow military man and the accused in the case, innocent before the judicial inquiry was complete.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sherry points out loopholes in Dr Shazia's rape probe|newspaper=Daily Times |date=4 March 2005 |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_4-3-2005_pg7_32 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050430170825/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_4-3-2005_pg7_32 |archive-date=30 April 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Maher |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2005/02/050224_mush_media_zs.shtml |work=BBC Urdu |publisher=News |title=دعویٰ ہے کیپٹن حماد ملوث نہیں |language=ur |trans-title=Captain Hammad claims involved |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617072229/http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2005/02/050224_mush_media_zs.shtml |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Shazia alleged that she was forced by the government to leave the country.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Khalid, Shazia |author2=Mahmood, Zainab |author3=Maruf, Maryam |name-list-style=amp |title=Shazia Khalid and the fight for justice in Pakistan |publisher=Open Democracy Ltd. |date=25 September 2005 |url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-protest/pakistan_2868.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124083618/http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-protest/pakistan_2868.jsp |archive-date=24 November 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 October 2010}}</ref>

In an interview given to ''[[The Washington Post]]'' in September 2005, Musharraf said that Pakistani women who had been the victims of rape treated rape as a "moneymaking concern", and were only interested in the publicity to make money and get a Canadian visa. He subsequently denied making these comments, but the ''Post'' made available an audio recording of the interview, in which Musharraf could be heard making the quoted remarks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/audio/2005/09/23/AU2005092301253.html |title=Interview with Pakistan president Musharraf |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=23 September 2005 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024134717/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/audio/2005/09/23/AU2005092301253.html |archive-date=24 October 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Musharraf also denied Mukhtaran Mai, a Pakistani rape victim, the right to travel abroad, until pressured by US State Department.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Moore|first=Kathleen|date=27 June 2005|title=Pakistan: Rape Case Spotlights Women's Rights|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1059531.html|access-date=2024-01-10|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|language=en}}</ref> The remarks made by Musharraf sparked outrage and protests both internationally and in Pakistan by various groups i.e. women groups, activists.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4251536.stm |title=South Asia: Outrage at Musharraf rape remarks |work=BBC News |date=16 September 2005 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021080243/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4251536.stm |archive-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a rally, held close to the presidential palace and Pakistan's parliament, hundreds of women demonstrated in Pakistan demanding Musharraf apologise for the controversial remarks about female rape victims.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4294840.stm |title=South Asia {{pipe}} Pakistani women march in rape row |work=BBC News |date=29 September 2005 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511050958/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4294840.stm |archive-date=11 May 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Assassination attempts===
Musharraf survived multiple assassination attempts and alleged plots.<ref name="escape-assassination"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Musharraf Survives Assassination Attempt in Pakistan |url=https://time.com/47841/pervez-musharraf-pakistan/ |magazine=Time |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809032652/https://time.com/47841/pervez-musharraf-pakistan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2000 [[Kamran Atif]], an alleged member of [[Harkat-ul Mujahideen al-Alami]], tried to assassinate Musharraf. Atif was sentenced to death in 2006 by an [[Anti Terrorism Court (Pakistan)|Anti Terrorism Court]].<ref>{{cite news |title=KARACHI: Harkat man gets death sentence in murder case |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/190021/ |work=Dawn |date=30 April 2006 |access-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217201618/https://www.dawn.com/news/190021/ |archive-date=17 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 14 December 2003, Musharraf survived an assassination attempt when a powerful bomb went off minutes after his highly guarded [[convoy]] crossed a bridge in Rawalpindi; it was the third such attempt during his four-year rule. On 25 December 2003, two [[Suicide bombing|suicide bombers]] tried to assassinate Musharraf, but their [[car bomb]]s failed to kill him; 16 others died instead.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3351207.stm |title=South Asia {{pipe}} Arrests follow Musharraf attack |work=BBC News |date=27 December 2003 |access-date=30 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040713190304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3351207.stm |archive-date=13 July 2004 |url-status=live }}</ref> Musharraf escaped with only a cracked windshield on his car.<ref name="escape-assassination">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/26/world/pakistani-leader-escapes-attempt-at-assassination.html|title=Pakistani Leader Escapes Attempt at Assassination|last=Masood|first=Salman|date=26 December 2003|work=The New York Times|access-date=17 December 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217112847/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/26/world/pakistani-leader-escapes-attempt-at-assassination.html|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Amjad Farooqi]] was an alleged mastermind behind these attempts, and was killed by Pakistani forces in 2004 after an extensive manhunt.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/29/world/suspect-in-reporter-s-death-is-wanted-in-attacks-on-musharraf.html|title=Suspect in Reporter's Death Is Wanted in Attacks on Musharraf|last1=Masood|first1=Salman|date=29 May 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=17 December 2019|last2=Hussain|first2=Talat|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217112851/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/29/world/suspect-in-reporter-s-death-is-wanted-in-attacks-on-musharraf.html|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3692882.stm|title=Profile: Amjad Farooqi|date=27 September 2004|access-date=17 December 2019|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217112838/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3692882.stm|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 July 2007, there was another attempted assassination, when an unknown group fired a 7.62 [[submachine gun]] at Musharraf's plane as it took off from a [[runway]] in [[Rawalpindi]]. Security also recovered two [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft guns]], from which no shots had been fired.<ref>Masood, Salman and Nizza, Mike [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/world/asia/06cnd-pakistan.html?hp "Gunmen Fire on Musharraf's Plane"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312022635/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/06/world/asia/06cnd-pakistan.html|date=12 March 2018 }} ''[[The New York Times]]'' 6 July 2007</ref> On 17 July 2007, Pakistani police detained 39 people in relation to the attempted assassination of Musharraf.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jul/17pak1.htm Attack on Musharraf: 39 detained] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080307123738/http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jul/17pak1.htm |date=7 March 2008 }} rediff.com 17 July 2007</ref> The suspects were detained at an undisclosed location by a joint team of [[Punjab Police (Pakistan)|Punjab Police]], the Federal Investigation Agency and other Pakistani intelligence agencies.<ref>{{cite news|title=39 arrested for links to attack on Musharraf|newspaper=Daily Times|date=17 July 2007|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\07\17\story_17-7-2007_pg1_4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915043425/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C07%5C17%5Cstory_17-7-2007_pg1_4|archive-date=15 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>