Hamid Javaid

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Hamid Javaid (Urdu: حامد جاوید ) is the former Chief of the Staff of the Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Lieutenant-General (R) Hamid Javaid is the real brain behind the president in his handling the affairs of government. He is known to have played a major role in ensuring that governance was transparent at the highest level. He played a key role in ensuring harmonious and smooth relations between the civil and the military bureaucracy.

He advised President Musharraf on reconciliation with the leading political parties so that smooth transition could be ensured at the time of elections .He had played an important role in negotiating the Seventeen th Amendment and had negotiated a working arrangement with Benezir Bhutto. He maintains a very low profile, refuses to take an official residence or even a security guard and travels in a private car unlike all other government officials.

As reported in The Daily Nation of December 14, 2007 by Javed Siddique,Hamid Javed played a major role in the reconciliation efforts between the President and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry to resolve a controversial move by Musharaff to get elected by a retiring Parliament. Under the constitution the President is elected for a five year turn by newly elected bodies. Musharaff got himself elected by the same Parliament for the second time to save his skin before the new elections were held. Accomodating such an unconstitutional move would have been very emabarassing for the Cheif Justice. To make the legal case more transparent the Chief Justice expanded the size of the Bench.

Hamid filed a fake reference against the Cheif Justice who was illegally dismissed. The Supreme Court judges were outraged who threw out the reference as it contained photos of the Chief Justice's house and violated his privacy. It also proved that government spooks were spying on all the judges. For the first time in the history of Pakistan the judges decided a court case against a sitting military dictator.

In spite of his close association with Musharraf Hamid Javaid is thought to have been extremely against the idea of the emergency imposed in the country on Nov 3, 2007 ,this has been reported by Fareed Zakaria in the NEWSWEEK of November 19, 2007 and this is considered the main reason for this resignation. He served president Musharraf till 1 November 2007 where after he is living a retired life.

President Pervez Musharraf hosted a farewell dinner in honour of his Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (R) Hamid Javaid here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday. Caretaker Prime Minister, Muhammad Mian Soomro, former Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, Governor of Punjab, Khalid Maqbool, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, PML President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain., Senator Mushahid Hussain. Syed, Federal Ministers and senior civil and military officials attended the dinner.

The President lauded the services of Lt. Gen. (R) Hamid Javaid for the country and for the welfare of people as his Chief of Staff for the last over six and a half year as well as in his earlier position as Chairman of the Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).

President Musharraf said whether it is the situation after the 9/11 incidents, the confrontation and rapprochement vis a vis CBMs with India, law and order problem, domestic political situation, the passage of 17th Amendment or the encouragement of foreign direct investment, Gen. Hamid Javaid made vital contribution in tackling these issues very intelligently and prudently for the benefit of the country and nation.

He also lauded the expertise of Lt. Gen. (R) Hamid Javaid in the constitutional and legal matters.

The President also lauded the contribution of Gen. Hamid as Chairman of the HIT, particularly in achieving the indigenous development of Al-Khalid tank as well as the accomplishment of other projects like Al-Zarar tank and Armed Personnel Carriers (APCs), which helped in saving the country’s precious foreign exchange.

“Had he (Gen. Hamid) not been there, the project of Al-Khalid tank could not be achieved”, he remarked.

The President hailed Gen. Hamid Javaid as an honest, upright, dedicated, hard-working and a balanced officer and man, with clarity of approach and thinking.

The President prayed for his health and long life and said Gen. Hamid and his wife will always remain part of his extended family.

Lt. Gen. (R) Hamid Javaid speaking on the occasion said President Musharraf is the most compassionate and considerate person he has ever come in his life.

The President, he said, has sincere commitment and dedication to the cause of benefit of country and nation. He (Musharraf) believes in bringing Pakistan to a stage where it is considered as one of the top developed and dynamic nations.

Lt. Gen. (R) Hamid Javaid thanked the President for his kindness and support all along his six years of service as Chief of Staff to the President.