Pakistan: Another drama: Musharraf Gate

– by Dr. Saifur Rehman

Nation was mourning, depressed and ashamed over Rawalpindi sectarian violence, which killed more than dozen people and scores were injured. Curfew was imposed in garrison city mobile phone service was banned for three days. Amidst of tense environment, interior minister appeared on news channels for his news briefing and told some funny things to nation that Government had decided to write the letter to supreme court that Musharraf had violated the constitution by imposing emergency rule in the country in November 2007. Was military coup of 1999 not the violation of constitution? Then why they selected November 2007 emergency incident to file treason case against Musharraf? Answer is very simple they want to save their skin as after bloodless coup in 1999 against his government, in year 2000, under an agreement facilitated by Saudi Arabia, Nawaz Sharif opted to live in Saudi Arabia for the next 10 years, Mr Sharif had agreed not to take part in politics in Pakistan for 21 years. Musharraf granted him pardon. A lot of proofs would have been disclosed in the court if trial would made on these lines. But insiders of the this development are of view that musharaf’s trial will end with an agreement like in year 2000. A Non issue was made the issue to flip the central story on main stream media and social media and to hide negligence of Punjab government to handle muharram processions in Punjab and Rawalpindi in particular. Interior minister seemed to be very frustrated as he erroneously told media that government would write letter to court to form commission to investigate the November 2007 emergency. Later on interior ministry and law ministry made correction in this regard. His wrong statements had no end, he said “This is the first time that any military conspirator is going to be put on trial”. My lord. please make correction. Trial was made against Maj. Gen. Akbar Khan and his supporters in Rawalpindi conspiracy in 1949, against the government of Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first prime minister. Maj. Gen. Tajammul Hussain Malik and his fellow conspirators were put on trial in 1980, alleged plot to assassinate Zia-ul-Haq on Pakistan Day on March 23, 1980. And Maj. Gen. Zahirul Islam Abbasi and his conspirators were also put on trial In 1995, a coup attempt against the government of Benazir Bhutto. And all conspirators were convicted. If this government was really serious then they would have not spared all conspirators and supporters of Musharraf. Trial should be started against Musharraf but his supporters should have been put on trial along with him. I would like to suggest prime minister of Pakistan, don’t get indulge with non-issues. When you [Mr Sharif] became prime minister, public expectations were sky high that you would quickly get to grips with Pakistan’s most pressing problems – rampant terrorism, multiple insurgencies, an economy in free fall, the lack of electricity and a debilitating foreign policy, Instead, you have stumbled badly, incurring widespread public anger as terrorism intensifies and the economy worsens. My sincere piece of advice is that reign in your team and don’t pay heed to your close aides. I am afraid if in case yet another coup happens again then surely there would be no Musharraf to grant you pardon.

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