Yes, I agree my popularity has been reduced: Musharraf

Aug 14: Before celebrating the 60 th Independence anniversary, Pak president accepted that his fame is now gradually weakening. He accepted this fact in a newly started Pak Television Program entitled ‘Aiwan-e-Sadr Se’ in the question-and-answer session on Monday evening. The broadcasting of the program is not confirmed so far.

"Yes, I agree my popularity has been reduced”, Parvez confessed this fact in answering a question of the newly born program before a selected audience on the state run PTV. “The fault lies here, who has taken the advice and accepted it. I am not a leader to turn around to the person saying you stupid man, you did all this - I have been stupid to accept that advice. That is not the leadership I exercise", added president.

This comment came at a very crucial time when President Musharraf wants to retain his position as being a top officer of the army. This may be the main reason behind his weakening. The experts think that the Lal Masjid case and the expulsion of the Chief Justice case in which President dismissed Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry who is very popular among the general public may be the main cause of reducing his image. Though Iftikhar had regained his position after the court’s order.

The next election is coming very soon and Musharraf is facing one of the worst crises ever since he captured the top authority eight years ago. This confession might works as a tool to regain his popularity as president showed his honesty before the channel. It is assumed that this weekly programme will be broadcast every week in which Musharraf would confront the question and answer of the host and the invitee. He will also answer the question of the general public, but the topic would be different in each episode. It might be on politics, society, education, defense etc. But neither president official nor the television officials has confirmed this.

If this becomes true, it can be a mega tool for Musharraf to regain his popularity among the general people who at present not wanted to reestablish Musharraf on the top position while being in the Military uniform. According to the latest poll conducted by a popular news agency, 55.4 percent of the people interviewed wanted him to quit while 29.6 percent of the people wanted to carry on the rule and rest of all were unable to say anything.