A retired general and former president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf seems to have chosen mainstream media as his career of choice post retirement, with Bol TV billing him as the main attraction of a weekly TV programme in a Sunday evening post on the channel's Facebook page.
According to the promotional video aired by Bol TV, the weekly show is called 'Sab Se Pehle Pakistan with President Musharraf' and will be aired every Sunday 8pm.
The first episode, which aired on Sunday, February 26, saw Musharraf responding to an anchor's questions from Dubai — where he is currently living in self-exile.
The incumbent government had in March 2016 allowed Musharraf to travel abroad to seek medical attention after the Supreme Court lifted a ban on his travel abroad.
This had stirred a controversy, as Musharraf had been facing a treason case for abrogating the Constitution and imposing an emergency in 2007.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) had on Dec 8, 2016 given a month's deadline to Musharraf to surrender in the judges' detention case, which relates to the detainment of over 60 judges of the superior courts after Musharraf declared an emergency in the country in Nov 2007.
The court had warned that the former military ruler would be declared a proclaimed offender if he failed to comply with the deadline.
However, Musharraf's counsel had on Jan 13 filed an application with the ATC seeking "foolproof security" in order to be able to return to Pakistan and appear in court.
Until such security measures are taken, the application said, Musharraf should be exempted from appearing in the court.
Earlier this month, an ATC in Islamabad had issued perpetual arrest warrants for Musharraf in the same case.
Bol TV has recently been mired in a tussle with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) over 'hate speech' aired from its platform.
Last month, Pemra had issued a show-cause notice to Labbaik Pvt Ltd (Bol News channel) for defying an order to discontinue the Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga programme, and to keep its host, Amir Liaquat, off the air.
The regulator had taken exception to the programme over its "controversial and hate-based contents" and barred Liaquat from appearing on any TV screen.
Earlier this month, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim, had directed Bol News to immediately cease airing all 'hateful content' or face contempt of court charges.
During the hearing, the apex court had addressed the TV channel's director of operations, directing him to submit an assurance "within half an hour" that the channel would not air any content that incites hatred.
Bol News, in response, had submitted a signed undertaking in the Supreme Court, vowing to refrain from airing the 'Aisa Nahi Chalay Ga' programme hosted by Aamir Liaquat until further notification by the apex court.
What have we done to deserve this???
before 1999, Pakistan may have been having lots of problems but that did not include suicide bombings, missing persons, Baloch insurgency and insecurity. Mr. Mussharaf may also explain NRO which gave a clean chit to the corrupt and the criminals. Mishandled Lal Mosque operation continues to haunt the country even after ten years.
This man imposed martial law and responsible for the menace of terror after taking u turn on established policies in one day and aligned with US without proper planning and taking care of repercussion of his decisions which killed thousands of Pakistanis and now we are glorifying him.
Sab say pehlay Pakistan with Pervez Musharraf from Dubai.
I have seen cheap media stunts from Bol but this one is just way on top.
Pervez Musharraf launches career as TV analyst..should you be!!!! your analysis as a general to let go the looters from Pakistan and then to top it up brought them back wonder what the strategy was...The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks. with due respect sir you failed us ...any way good luck..
True to this country's traditions, General sahib will now join the civil society, establish an NGO and preach peace after retirement.
Who would believe Sub Sae Pehlay Pakistan when he himself kept himself Sub Sae Pehlay & then Pakista? Actions speak louder than words.
Trump says America First ....Modi's monthly broadcast over Redio specially for youngsters is ' Maan Ki Baat ' Now this !!
And any guessing about the title of show by Zardari ?
Bol TV has proved it is a cheap channel. First it aired program by Amir Liaqat and now playing with Pervez Musharraf. I think Pervez Musharraf should not have accepted such offer from a channel.
He should have waited till 1st April.
@Qaiser "What have we done to deserve this???" Democracy. You don't like it?
He never cared about Pakistan.
Good Move n Great Going Gen. Sb.
This sounds like Donald Trump's " America first ".
Good to watch him again with his straight forward talk.. I am sure he will be far better then many anchors.
@Khanm - Yes, he made one big mistake that you mentioned but these looters are making it on daily basis and still stuck upon us!
Compared to current crop of corrupt, selfish, malaise prone, inefficient rulers, Mr. Musharraf's rule was a million times better. I wish he was back. His enlightened moderation is what country needs.
@Sayyar Khan - very true - he never cared for Pakistan! he shook Pakistan from its very roots, future generations will confirm.
Great. Bol is getting ahead. A great sucess for the right move and bring the best of best around!
One of the worst president ever. We are facing consequences of his policies today.
Pak Courts have issued non bailable warrants on his head and he is starting TV career.
Subse pahale Pakistan, but he is in Dubai!!
Pakistani politicians are most comfortable in Dubai. Fitting that Sub se pehle Pakistan is broadcast from Dubai.
The General, firstly must come back to Pakistan as a law abiding citizen and face the charges against him if he respects the Constitution of the country to show faith in his slogan 'Sabse Pehle Pakistan'.
@Shahid-khi "First it aired program by Amir Liaqat and now playing with Pervez Musharraf." You don't seem to miss any of their programs!!!
@zs "One of the worst president ever. We are facing consequences of his policies today." Like NS & AZ, agreed!!!
Musharraf brought all criminals back to Pakistan through his NRO. Was it in line with 'Sab Se Pehle Pakistan with President Musharraf' ??????
" Subse Phele PAkistan " What a slogan, quite contrary to what retired general stood for. The fact is it was ' Subse Phele Musharraf ' issuing NRO to forgive and forget all those epitome of corruption hoping that they would return the favour . Mercifully, it never happened. Now he is cooling his heels in the comfort of his house in Dubai. Sounds more like 'Subse Phele Dubai' .
Musharraf is a Patriotic Pakistani and the only one who could look in to Indian eyes and challenge them. NRO was his blunder and it can not be excused. Letting NS get away was again his low, not building Kalabagh was his low but Kargil was his high and we salute him.
Just ask retired general to explain NRO. He sanctified corruption by allowing all corrupts to come back without any accountability. All in his personal interest hoping to stay in the power . Thankfully it did not happen . Now he wants to dispense advice from the comfort of his palacial house in Dubai.
Well done Sir. Great decision. Good luck as tv analyst.
@Ghani K No sir, he does NOT have a palatial house in Dubai, rather a nice pad. But, you are right, it is a comedown for a former head of state to become a TV commentator. He won't contribute much to dialogue, but let him do as he pleases.
I wish him good luck and success.
Well spotted mate. Hypocrisy or what?
This guy single handedly sunk the country to the abyss we are in right now - what more he wants from us Pakistanis now???
Better than nothing. Many people may find his program interesting. It won't put him back on the throne though. Perhaps he would like to give Pakistan inside information on the military.
President Musharraf was the "best" leader in recent years. His wise decision to support the US in Afghan war was the right decision, as it was mandated by the UN Security Council. India had offered its bases to the US. Many people don't know that even Iran offered its bases to the US.
The US rejected both, but accepted Pakistan's offer of using Jacobabad, Gulbandin, Shamsi and Pasni bases. The country started making great economic progress, even Pakistan Steel Mill had become profitable. President Musharraf was respected by the whole world.
And we blame politicians for being addicted to money.
@mattiullah jan ...brother you seem to be ill-informed. During President Musarraf's term, Pakistan made great progress and the world respected him as a great leader. Pakistan's slide started after Asif Zardari took over and has continued since Nawaz Sharif became the prime minister, due their corruption and bad governance.
These two leaders talk of democracy to fool the people, but evaded accountability of their massive corruption and money laundering? How did they acquire lavish Surrey Palace, London flats, Swiss bank accounts and Panama offshore companies worth billions of dollars? No politician can be above the law.
Perez Musharraf is the least corrupt politician/leader of Pakistan. His views should carry more weight than any of the current leaders in Government or outside.
From where will he air the show - outside the country?
That's the only role left for him in Pakistan Politics.
@Qaiser , There will be same type of comments from every supporter of PML(N) and PPP.
Sad, I expected him to do greater things.
His days were much better than PMLN, PPP anytime, many people can talk bad about him, but I remember currency being stable, peace in the country unlike what happened as soon as PPP took over. Every major political leader visited Pakistan, Including Kings/Rulers of gulf/Indian PM/US presidents etc., that says a lot about him, simply no comparison with billionaires looters like Nawaz/Zardari party.
IK/Musharraf are both honest people. Good luck President Pervez Musharraf and also good luck Imran Khan.
He is still lot better than the two Nawaz and Zardari.
Incredible news! Especially for the young generation of nationalist Pakistanis. This is the best news I've read all week. Thank you for your service, General Musharraf!
@Adnan all charges against him are politically motivated and utter rubbish. What about cases against MQM leader, Zardari and others??
Mr. Retired General Musharaf & President: This is time for you to retired from everything and stop telling people what's wrong with them. I respect what you have done for the country and I also regret you letting NS go abroad, that was the start of your downfall as a honest solder. When you start making deals to hold on to your power then you are no longer an honest person. Also I regret you getting involve in was with Afghanistan.
Great News! Was waiting for something like this program!!!
Pervez musharaff sahab zindabad.. Pakistan first should be the motto for all the patriotic and young citizens of this pure land.. May the almighty keeps all in his protection..
WOW - This program will be an instant hit. Gretat work Bol!!
@Pakhtun really? mishandled lal masjid how? can you detail how you would have freed thousands of innocent women and children? pls go ahead genius.
Being broadcast from Dubai - ironic?
General sahib, thanks for your sincerity and services, but your time has come and gone. At a critical juncture of history, fear and confusion had the best of you.
@Puthomadre, karachi : Yes, what an irony. That goes to show he will preach what he himself will not practice.
@Pakhtun And you continue to elect those same people and their children . He saved us from the fate of Iraq, Libya, Syria ....He made the teaching profession a much coveted profession; he promoted arts at an institutional level; was at the verge of a break through in talks with India . I could go on and on and list all the 59 reasons someone gave sarcastically on why he should be punished.
Another attempt by the failed channel to get some traction.
Excellent choice and General Mushraff is great on media and this program is good for BOL TV and understanding of Pakistan in international field. He can come on CNN or Al-Jazera TV too as he great knowledge on terrorism and he took Pakistan out of mess after 9/11 espisode as narrow minded Pakistanis as no clue as US was acting like a mad bull and India was ready to join to beat Pakistan. Living overseas for decades I full understanding of his greatness.
our leaders only talk. he could have opened a institue of higher learning, diplomacy, local governance, polictical economy, STEM related progrmas,. talking is easy way out.
@SANTOSH Musharraf coined the term "Sab se pehle Pakistan" while he was the President of Pakistan. Long before Trump jumped into politics.
though I have so much liking for Gen.Musharraf would humbly request if he suggested dos and donts' to our present and future rulers in light of his own experiences and avoid discussing their demerits for other channels already doing this day in and day out. May be this could help any progress to his and our beloved country.
Sab Se Pehle Pakistan..... will the show be hosted from Dubai ?
Prior to 1999, Pakistan may have had lots of problems but that did not include suicide bombings, missing persons and insecurity. He is also responsible for the NRO which tried to dry-clean the corrupt and the criminals. He mishandled the Lal Mosque operation, the repurcussions of which continue to haunt the nation even today.
he stole my title !
@rashid nasim bro grow up , least to tell you .
@Akram Khan And "India First" by Modi from New Delhi.
In order to prove his credibility it would be better if the analyst gets himself cleared of all the cases.
It's excellent. Musharraf gave a lot of things to this country. Brought the country into the next 11 fastest going countries. I don't see why anyone has a problem with him doing the program fromDubai. All the big think tanks and analysts aren't always sitting in their respective countries to discuss politics.
Musharraf saved Pakistan strategically. If it wasn't for him everyone would have been consumed by Daisy Cutters. There is no one better to give an analysis than the man who made Pakistan prosper.
@Adnan Fake and politicized cases. He has been to the courts more than 16 times already. His name was removed from the ECL, so he is not some sort of fugitive.
All the rebuttals have been given, all that is left is for the court to give a verdict. His council is still attending sessions that are just there to waste time.
@Nadeem Actions speak louder than words? We got rid of the IMF in his tenure, paid off most of our loans, came into the next 11 most progressing countries, all of our indicators in every department were going up. It was always Sab Se Pehley Pakistan but when people want to ignore all the achievements and ignore all the fact sheets and results, then what can one say. If it was Sab Se Pehley Musharraf then he would have remained in power with an iron fist.
@Qaiser since we've done nothing that's why we deserve it.
@Harmony-1© So you think that a man who is fugitive from justice in Pakistan based on perjury that he needed to leave the country due to medical reason and will return in 3 weeks, should be seen on TV week after week?
@Friend of khalistan "all charges against him are politically motivated and utter rubbish." So he should have faced the charges instead of committing perjury in the court that he needed to leave the country for medical reasons and would return in 3 weeks.
He will be singing his own song.
He left Pakistan for medical treatment abroad and it was assured that once he was fit he would appear before the courts where proceedings were pending against him. Now out of the blue this retired general has committed himself to a new career. First he should return to Pakistan face the trials and thereafter he should do whatever he would like to do, if found not guilty. Currently he carries the stigma of allegations of serious crimes against him. Maybe he thinks its normal as every one in power in Pakistan commits these kind of serious crimes and nothing is done against him. Which corrupt politician has not done what he has done???The only difference would be that he has done a little more than them in some respects.
People have lot of choices to pick a TV station and TV program. People will listen him if he will talk facts and provide some solid analysis like Hassan Nisar on Aj TV. Otherwise people will just change your channel.
Our media is free and thousand time better and open minded than cnn, bbc, and all those english channels who only portray west and whites supreme???
It is sad that they put a ban on Aamir Liaquat. Where is the freedom of speech?
I'm not a fan of Musharaf however he has the right just like others to present himself. I believe he is no different than any other Pakistani.
Sir, I salute you. We miss your governance. I look forward to your insights.
@rashid nasim everybody has faults and weaknesses. So let's not get righteous. During his tenure we were. Ugh better off than under the Sharif monarchy.
@Ahsan gul you got it.
@mattiullah jan sorry Sir you are misinformed. Look at the numbers.
National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) controversial ordinance issued on October 5, 2007. In other words he gave license to thugs and corrupts to undermine the contitution of Pakistan. He should stop using solgan Sab Se Pehle Pakistan.
@Khanm, Looters were brough back to take part in elections under the pressure from Pakistan's very close friends.
What prez Mushhqraf has done wrong? His only mistake was he was president of Pakistan and the step he has taken are for the betterment of Pakistan. If we allowed him to remain president for few more months he could have solved the Kashmir issue,for which we continue to spend billion of dollars and millions of people are killed directly or indirectly in this struggle. And why either we kill or send them in exile our majority of presidents and prime Ministers? We have this record of sorts.
It was during the time of Musharraf that the independent media was allowed to prevail & foster across Pakistan before him 1999 it was just one state owned channel called PTV under the control of so called democracy that media of today tries to protect. So it's high time the media pays him back ,even if it is through offering him a position. Musharraf'sthat time was a golden period and I wish that period comes back so I return to Pakistan from Finland.
Sab se pehle Pakistan? He does not even live in Pakistan.
@mattiullah jan your problem is PMNL and PPP not Musharraf these parties have been looting Pakistan and destroying its very core by being perpetrators of corruption. Robbing Pakistan and making it a very weak economically and the most disliked country world over.
Nothing strange. Musharraf and Bol TV. Best combination. Birds of the same flock fly together.
A controversial person, not necessarily a bad thing.....makes him all the more interesting and exciting.....enjoy the ride.
@rashid nasim : So can list your regret our current government, I am sure you will run out of room here and you won't even come close to the end of your regrets.
Now that is all you need!!!!!
He should be provided with same level security that his government provided to Benazir Bhutto. Musharraf claims Saudis gave him money to buy apartments and other real estate.
You get to the highest office of the Land and you want to become a TV show host, . Another beauty was Laghari who became an MNA after becoming President. Only in Pakistan would you stoop this low.
Wow! An x general with an x prime minister tittle to his name will be on air, running a TV show. What a dicline in the career graph. Today is the day when Larry king would be ashamed of himself.
Kya "Ab aisa hi Chalege "??
Wish him better luck as TV analyst than he had as a General or politician.
So that even if he lives in Dubai, his face can be beamed into Pakistani drawing rooms relentlessly.
The commando could not face up to Indian Army in Kargil and could not also stand up to courts in Pakistan and ran away from treason charges. The General trying to be still relevant does not realise he has lost his uniform ling time back and with it his Iman also.
General is without work. He has to spend the remaining time of his life.
Even before reading the article I knew it HAD to be Bol TV.
I love Pervez Musharraf.... He is a brave commander of Pak Army. The Nation can't forget him for many years to come.
General Musharraf should go for philanthropist activities instead of politics. If he is popular in Pakistan and abroad it should not be difficult to collect funds for hospitals and good schools.
He is fit to this.
This person doesn't live in Pakistan but in Dubai and wants to run programme sab se pahile Pakistan ???
@Mansoor Khan most corrupt person.How he got his house in London Dubai and bank accounts.He himself admitted got money from KSA! Why will KSA give him money?
this news not only showking but also mind boggling. wow, a person being trialed for treason case and not appearing in court and have the red warrants issued can host a show in Pakistan news channel.
I cant wait to watch the show. Good Luck Sir.
@Dr.Shafi Muhamamd "Why will KSA give him money?" Ask KSA, don't you trust them? Just remember what he gave to KSA in return, you'll understand because that happened to be your wish as well.
@malik humayoun i am shocked. Court will take notice as he is wanted by different courts of Pakistan and he has been declared as an absconder. An absconder appearing in TV. We love Pakistan.
@Fazal Karim "General Musharraf should go for philanthropist activities instead of politics. " This is how Imran Khan started, but ended in politics (that was the idea from start). At least Musharraf is not hiding his intentions. Please stop treating politics as exclusive game reserve for a certain class.
Awaiting for this great man's show, Love for this man, Bol Tv is a great news network.
@Adnan red warrants ? i dont know what are you talking about as interpol rejected the request of the govt. Stop spreading rumours!
@mattiullah jan Really ? Even after a decade of civilian rule you blame this guy ? amazing. You deserve the current politicians!
Nice decision! he is great!
In spite of all the mismanagement, loot and plunder by the corrupt rulers devouring national resources turn by turn, still till before this dictator the Country did not have terrorists attacks. Even ordinary people used to travel by road with their families from Karachi to Khyber till the borders of Afghanistan without any fear. This dictator patronized and gave free hands to the murderers, target killers and ruthless extortionists who had already taken Karachi and other cities of Sindh as hostage. Enjoying total immunity from the dictator they established their formidable international network and the top leaders making their head quarters at foreign havens being beyond the reach of Pakistan Govts, Courts and the laws of the land? The long exploited people of all the 4 provinces of Pakistan had welcomed him with hearts and souls thinking his as a savior but he betrayed the trust and aspirations of the people for his political expediencies.
I have always like Gen. Musharaf with certain reservations! Is it a coincident or real that Gen. Musharaf like to maintain a strong presence in the minds of Pakistani followers and do what President Trump did through his famous "Apprentice" TV series? Well, its one way to transform Pakistan's followers to General Musharaf's projected political thinking. Gradually but surely all negatives will be washed away through the TV screen's well desgined, well scripted and well placed scripts along with its guests. I think it's a great non-political political move by Gen. Musharaf and he's bound to bounce back in a big way!!! Good luck General Musharaf!
People making negative comments,need to get their facts right,Musharraf will be giving his interview regarding different issues,he has not become a host of a Tv program,one journalist spreads false news,everyone jumps on the same bandwagon beliveing it.
The only time I like Musharraf is when he is on Indian TV defendibg Pakistan. I hope he will drive on a pro-Pakistan tone.
All hail the mighty General!
this man has mishandled every situation. No one is question his patriotism, but his judgement, competence and capability is a big question in any situation.
If General Sahib had still been president nobody would have dared invade us and propagate the so called surgical strikes as they would have known of the devastating consequences.
"All the big think tanks and analysts aren't always sitting in their respective countries to discuss politics."
WHO are you talking about?! - almost every single analyst commenting on his/her country does so from his/her country's soil -- it is completely counter-intuitive to be sitting in UAE and lecturing pakistanis when musharraf does not even live in pakistan!
Musharaf did good. Than he did NRO. The Country hates him for his service.
@Z, how about 110% Pakistan!!!
Mian Sahib still have a taste of Shooting. This time in front of the camera and tongue will do the rounds.
It's Stupid And unexpected decision By Retired COAS .
Wow! this brave commando is seeking fool proof security to appear before the court.
@Sameer "Than he did NRO. The Country hates him for his service." and elected the people for whom the NRO was made!!!. You blame him for bringing back your beloved leaders. Can you people decide once for all, what you really want as leaders?
Who says what is secondary, Musharraf has been a top class leader for a long time and the voice of Pakistan afterwards. His analysis are going to be essential and thought provoking. Looking forward to see the program more than often !
Welcome Sir, lots of eyes waiting you & i would like to join you. You are better then all. Karachi likes you & this is the right time to hit the vacuum which are created. Best wish & we are with you.
This man seems to be hungry of fame and simply wants to remain in headlines one way or the other. After his eviction from office of the President, he tried his luck as politician and established his own Muslim League, but when he did not get any recognition, he has now decided to get cheap recognition through TV Anchorship. He is a proudy man and every proudy is deemed to fail.
@sri an otherwise smart and articulate man.
"Live from Dubai it is time for some "Mushy" analysis of Pakistan by someone who has chosen not to live there anymore!"
@Jalbani baloch "This man seems to be hungry of fame and simply wants to remain in headlines one way or the other. " People hungry for fame pay to be in headlines (Paid ads on TV for examples). Those for whom headlines are hungry for, are being requested to appear (sometime paid for). This man is not paying to be seen, he maybe paid to be seen. Have you ever heard paid conferences arranged for Sharifs, Zardaris, Khans? They cannot even coherently add three sentences in a row, in international conferences without reading them. They can only answer questions, already approved by their staff, asked by subservient journalists, also approved by their staff.
If we all set aside our dislike and prejudices against Gen Musharraf and carefully look back his tenure as dictator and president then we will see that he did not rule that bad compared to the past and current government. At least he has integrity and was not involved in billions of money scandals and corruption.
Our country has some set of directions. But what we have now?
If he has turned a tv analyst then it would be interesting to hear him analyze the events and reasons leading up to his coup of 1999, and also about the background mechanizations behind the tragedy of 911 of which he might have an intimate knowledge as he was the head of state of our country at that time.
I think he loved Pakistan more than he should. Too much of anything is bad.
Looking forward to this show. This guy is more honest than the self-proclaimed 'democrats' in Pakistan.
The best way to serve Pakistan is from a safe, comfortable distance. Ask AZ, AH and now PM.
Does he have a journalism degree?
All the people bad mouthing a dedicated man here really deserve Zardari and Shareef.
Pervaiz musharaf was a great leader, a fighter who served pakistan with integrity and honestly, should prove to be a great anchor.
He is a walking talking advertisement for corruption and lack of justice, equity and accountability in Pakistan.
A great man, did everything for this country. Just compare economy, education, poverty, inflation, infrastructure development between 2002-2007 and then 2008-2017. You will be surprised and ashamed of being democrat. Much Much better than so called democrats.