ISLAMABAD:
It’s been a bitterly cold winter in London. One of the city’s current residents, former president Pervez Musharraf, can expect an even colder welcome on his planned return to Pakistan next month.
“The government has the courage, and its law-enforcing machinery will immediately swing into action [against Musharraf],” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the National Assembly, after opposition lawmakers dared him to move against Musharraf regarding his alleged connection with the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.
Malik reminded the house that a Rawalpindi anti-terror court, hearing a case into the 2007 assassination of Bhutto at a public rally, had already declared Musharraf a “proclaimed offender”.
“There will be action when the time comes,” Malik said, without mentioning whether the government plans to arrest the former army chief as ordered by the court.
Musharraf, who now leads his own All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) political party and has spent the last three years in self-imposed exile, announced last week that he would return to the county in January. He had earlier planned to return on March 23.
The former dictator, who came to power in a military coup in 1999 and ruled Pakistan till 2008, is facing criminal cases in the Balochistan High Court for allegedly ordering the killing of Baloch tribal chieftain Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in 2006.
However, Musharraf is adamant he’ll be back. In an address to a gathering in Lahore via videoconference on Sunday, he told supporters that nothing can stop his return.
Malik’s statement came after lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said they wondered why the government was unable to take action against Musharraf despite a court order.
PML-N member Nasir Bhutta said his party would support action by the government to lodge a case of high treason against the former military ruler in the Supreme Court.
Civil disobedience over gas
An opposition member from Faisalabad, warned the government of a severe public backlash over gas closures for the industry in his city, which is renowned for its textile production.
“The daily wage labourers working at the factories are heading close to launch a civil disobedience movement,” warned Abid Sher Ali.
The PML-N lawmaker said the province was being discriminated against in the gas management plan to keep supply flowing for domestic consumers during the peak winter seasons.
Some of his colleagues, though, said that even the four-days-a-week closure for the industry was insufficient, as it would still not guarantee a smooth supply to households during the cold winter months.
The party’s Hanif Abbasi also said his party plan to lead public agitation in the federal capital and the adjoining city of Rawalpindi on Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2011.
COMMENTS (18)
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Musharraf will answer but what about you Mr Phd (Undeservingly got the degree), your answer regarding Karachi violence...
Looks like Malik is looking for a scapegoat.
@The Court of Justice: I dont know whether you are journalist or a lawyer but your methodical compilation of criminal, political, administrative and treason charges against the former President is surely going to rattle his die hard followers including the man himself if he happens to read your comment on ET which might also contemplate him to cancel his planned return to Pakistan.
First ask Rehman Malik and Babar Awan whose were Benazir Bhutto's security and protocol officers that why did they leave Liaqat Bagh first before leaving Benazir Bhutto?
Mr. Musharraf must face the Court of Justice…he must be accountable for his destructive role….Kargil operation, propaganda intervention in Govt., assassination of Bhutto, killing of Bugti, homicide of Lal Masjid, sabotaging the integrity of Pak, constitution, international law, human rights, cruel action against/blackmailing of CJ, media, violation of Nationals rights, corruption, damaging the unity by political segmentation and integrity of the county, unfair dealing and bargaining with political parties like; NRO etc. Unfair appointment as Army chief, propaganda wars/conflicts, and destruction of Pak…. Basically he must be treated as a state criminal, killer and brutal terrorist.
If nothing else - it's pretty clear that Musharraf doesn't trust your court/justice system. Can't image another country where one of the prime candidates for leadership won't come back to his country to challenge outstanding arrest warrants.
BB was even respected in India and her assassination came as a shock to Indians as well. Needle of suspiction points towards Musharraf therefore the IM statement that law would take its course against him is valid.
Love you Musharraf. May Allah protect you from all evils. As someone said you are already among your supporters.
He is returning after analyzing the situation, not just boarding the plane and coming back. He has a brain which he used for 9 years to make Pakistan prosperous, unlike our politician who just need to fill their pockets.
It's the late decision, he should have come back earlier to retain his allies who have joined PTI but you can not deny the convincing power he is holding. He had convinced the USA not to have drone attacks without his permission and denied many proposal of attacks so why don't you expect that he will convince the people of Pakistan.
His jalasas may not have so many people but his presence will make the difference. Let's wish him good luck.
While for Mr. Malek, I can only say that next government will issue the similar statement for him, he has caused the security lap since he was the chief security officer for Mohtarma.
He may land any time, in fact he is already there among his supporters through teleconffrencing . His physical presence is expected in January . Who can dare to arrest him in Pakistan . If he got arrested even the he will contest election ffom the jail and then he will come out as a hero with more than double seats as expected. After all he will be the king maker after the next election in Pakistan . And hence no one can touch him , even the judiciary . He will enter there after a complex calculations . Mr . MLICK also know the complex equation likely to emerge after the election . EVERY PARTY IN NO MOOD TO CLOSE THE DOOR FOR MUSARRAF FOR EVER BEFORE THE ELECTION EXCEPT THE TERRORIST'S PARTY .
musharraf : It was a RAW inspired conspiracy. RAW is WAR
Mr Malik, why did you allow him to leave the country, you should at least had the courtesy of asking him before he boarded the flight to UK.
Malik sb, Govt should also answer BB\s murder. After 4 years nothing has happened. Every year in the month of December this matter is highlighted and after 27th December the wind is no where....
and Malik sb what about those who were personally responsible for her majesty's security?
Malik ji, better talk to Kayani first before making any tall claims.
Earlier Dr Malik said, the convicts in BB case were already arrested????????
http://www.incrediblepakistan.net/benazirs-killers-arrested-really/
Mush must offer himself to the independent judiciary and get his name cleared. There are no ifs and buts or excuses. The commando is not more fragile than the young BB and her ailing mother to face the jails and courts even in the worst days of Zia. Let him prove that he is not NS to run away from any hardships.