Musharraf, Imran Khan and Enlightened Moderation

In 2003 at the Organization of Islamic Countries (IOC) meet in Malaysia, the then President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf propagated the doctrine of ‘enlightened moderation. The doctrine as evidently suggests peace and moderation in thoughts and actions, found no real space in Pakistan’s political and ideological landscape during Musharraf’s regime. The Paper argues that Musharraf was propagating the doctrine only to gain international legitimacy. He otherwise continued the previous line of doublespeak on international terror externally and belittling the political opponents by using the political machinery internally. Also, there is an attempt, in brief, to highlight the Tehrik-e-Insaf party chairman and the current PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan’s stance on the doctrine over more than two and half decades.

Keywords:
 Musharraf, Pakistan, Enlightened Moderation, Imran Khan.