Pakistan: Musharraf Treason Case
On the floor of National Assembly Prime Minister, Nawaz
Sharif has given a policy statement on trial of ex-President and retired
General Pervez Musharraf. He wants this treason case to go to its logical
conclusion, with the consensus and support of all the political parties.
However, some constitutional experts warn that this could open Pandora’s Box.
Some experts go to the extent of saying that going further on this sensitive
case could destabilize the country, which can prove detrimental to the
continuation of PML-N government but more importantly initiating extreme
instability in the country.
Some of the experts say that ‘Mian Sahib is running too fast
and may lose the breath too early’. They say Mian Sahib should have waited for
a while and focused on other pressing issues. In fact the biggest threat is
fast changing scenario in Afghanistan, which could have severe impact on
Pakistan. United States is directly negotiating with Taliban and also seems
adamant at giving a major role to India, which certainly does not bode well for
Pakistan.
Some experts go to the extent of saying that ranks and files
of Pakistan Army will not tolerate life imprisonment or hanging of a retired
General. Some of those who abrogated the Constitution of Pakistan will also
have to face the music. If one person has to face the brunt, how can others
remain insulated? They refer to Ziaul Haq who made Mian Sahib provincial
minister, which led to his deserting the then Prime Minister, Mohammad Khan
Junejo, in an attempt to get even closer to Ziaul Haq.
While Mian Sahib seems adamant at punishing Musharraf, a
question also has to be answered, who issued instructions not to allow lending
of Musharraf’s plane in Pakistan? The point has to be kept in mind that not
only the life of Chief of the Staff was put at stake but had the plane ran out
of fuel, all the passengers on board would have lost their lives.
Some insiders say that efforts were also made to push the
plane into Indian Territory. They say India would have immediately shot down
the plane or minimum brought it down, arrested, trialed and hanged the in
service General and Chief of the Staff. This would have provided India and
ideal opportunity to punish the ‘Kargil Hero’. Over the years Mian Sahib has
been saying that Musharraf had taken the decision at his own without even
informing him.
One of the conspiracy theories is that United States wishes
to close ‘Musharraf Chapter’. This does carry some weight because aircraft
carrying Ziaul Haq along with many generals, who played key role in Afghan
resistance against USSR, was blown up. Ejazul Haq, son of Ziaul Haq has been
saying over the years that blowing up of plane was not an accident but an act
of sabotage, in which the US Ambassador in Pakistan and a brigadier general
also lost their lives.
Some of the critics say that over the years Pakistan Army
and ISI has been maligned badly and pushed to the wall. Musharraf has also been
accused of conspiring to kill Akbar Bugti and Benazir Bhutto. Bothe these
allegations are aimed at portraying that Army has been involved in some heinous
crimes. Interestingly Musharraf is being trialed for issuing instructions to
kill or abrogating the Constitution but hardly any action is being taken
against those who claim responsibility of killing of dozens of people and
attacking sensitive installations.
Courtesy: The Financial Daily
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