Gen Raheel told the prime minister that Musharraf’s case now ‘should come to a close’. PHOTO: REUTERS
Army chief General Raheel Sharif is said to have suggested to the government let Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf go abroad for his medical treatment and to look after his ailing mother.
The issue of Musharraf’s possible exit was discussed during a meeting between Gen Raheel and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday. Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam also attended the ‘informal consultations’ to decide the fate of Musharraf.
Both chiefs were supposed to attend a meeting on national security to discuss the future strategy for talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but the meeting was postponed due to developments taking place on Musharraf’s front.
There was no official release regarding the high-level meeting between the prime minister and army chief. A source, however, confirmed the development and insisted that it was informal meeting to discuss the future of Musharraf.
A well-informed security official told The Express Tribune that Musharraf’s name should be removed from the exit control list after a clear verdict by the special court, which is trying the former army chief for treason charges.
The three-judge special court in its ruling stated that it had no objections if the federal government removes travel ban on Musharraf for medical treatment.
“There is no legal issue left now and it is purely a political decision,” said the official, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the media. The official said that Gen Raheel told the prime minister that Musharraf’s case now ‘should come to a close’.
“The sooner the better,” the official said, adding that Musharraf’s mother was ‘seriously ill’ and he wanted to be with her at the earliest.
Another official pointed out that Musharraf had already been indicted and the time had come to ‘move on’. “That is the message the army chief has delivered to the government,” he added.
When contacted, the military’s media wing refused to comment on the issue.
Insiders are of the view that given the army’s crucial support for government’s peace initiative, it will be extremely difficult for the prime minister to ignore Gen Raheel’s advice on Musharraf.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2014.
COMMENTS (41)
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@Aam Aadmi: What love? Musharraf was in uniform when all of this happened. Why is he not being tried by the military courts? If he is patently in disagreement over the very court instituted to try him then this is the reason he does not want to show up. Afterall he has appeared in all of the other courts trying him, again on flimsy charges, for cases like Bugti and Lal Masjid.
Perhaps you should understand the other sides perspective.
@azhar: He is a free man. Indicted means you have charges read out to you. He is not guilty so why does he need to stay within the country? He should be allowed to go wherever he wants to. He is a free man! Understand the due process please!
@Shah: he has already...about a year ago..said that he committed some mistakes. at least he has the courage to accept his failures very unlikely of the types of zardaris and shareefs.
@Assad: perhaps you have gone too far in your passionate love for Musharraf completely ignoring the dirty tricks (undetonated bombs, sudden shift to hospital, please for travel abroad on pretext of treatment, hiding in public hospital for 3 months etc etc) he has played in avoiding Court appearance. @ Imtiaz Khan: you are spot on. Salute to you Sir!
Well done General Raheel
@Nida Alvi: Who said the Army chief cannot advise? He is an officer of the government and sits in the National Security Council and its his very job to advise the government on all matters that pertain to the military. A trial of a former Army Chief obviously pertains to the military. So lets not go overboard on this "civilian supremacy" crap. The Army Chief has a say and the PM must/should listen to it. He must because this is the ground reality in Pakistan. You cannot wish it away with simplistic sloganeering.
Secondly, why should Musharraf "apologize" to the Pakistani nation? The majority of the Pakistani nation does not even want to see this happen. How did you become the representative of the Pakistani majority in asking Musharraf to apologize? I and many others here and elsewhere in Pakistan don't want this political tamasha to go on. Secondly, Musharraf was the "President" of Pakistan and his Presidency was validated by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry had no qualms about it) and it was with this power vested in him, he declared the state of emergency. So there is nothing illegal about his actions. Why should he apologize for this? Who has apologized for treating a former Army Chief and a war veteran of Pakistan so shabbily by making him appear in all sorts of cases when he has had clear immunity as the President of Pakistan? Come tomorrow do we want the Tehrik-e-taliban to bring cases against Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari for waging war against them?
Yet Musharraf has appeared gracefully and answered all charges in all courts. So lets bring things into perspective.
@Ajab Khan Baloch: If all are equal before Allah and the constitution of Pakistan then why do others like the former CJP of Pakistan and the many others involved in holding the constitution in abeyance get a pass? Why is only Musharraf being held to account? Is the message that only one pays for the crime of everyone else? If he gets punished then what message are the politicians and those in the judiciary get? They supported the military government. Do they get a pass now?
This is not justice! Its revenge and naked vindictiveness of the hypocrites running around talking about the sanctity of the constitution. Musharraf is being charged for holding the constitution in abeyance. The PML and the former PPP government have held my constitutional rights in abeyance for years. When have they taken care of my needs which they are supposed to take care of an enshrined in the constitution? Where is the safety and security for my life and that of my family that they are supposed to provide? Since they have not come through on anything, how is Musharraf's holding of the constitution in abeyance and the current governments abject refusal to provide me with my basic rights promised in the constitution of Pakistan any different?
@Shah:
Why should he accept the charges? The courage is in facing them and he has done that more than proving his mettle as a statesman and a former solider.
Why should he accept responsibility for something which was sanctioned by the whole of the then Government of Pakistan?
We love our armed forces as well as democracy. But supremacy of law must prevail in our country at all costs. Both public representatives as well as public servents must know and act as par their legal obligations.
Whatever the whole story is Gen. Pervez Musharraf is a great statesman , who saved the nation from corrupted Politician's. Why is the need of army to come in power, when the Government is elected by the people. In this election also, it was proved that electoral process is an eye wash. Votes are scam . One saw the rigging .These corrupt Politicians are bleeding the country. Common men are suffering, these can only be addressed by revolution. You need powerful General who has his mind, spirit and love for his motherland to come and safe guard the interest of the nation. Or one need people like Mr. 35 punctures if you show him the bone , he can work for you as per your direction. Wake up Pakistanis give good people a chance to save the common man from such suffering. Let us not forget, "Islam is the best religion and Muslim are worst " Every where in the Islamic world Is full of confusion and turmoil. Give people like Inran Khan a chance and he will deliver.
Or else elected Government will be a puppet and taking advise, which is a prime example for failure.
Pakistan is not a democratic country and western democratic form of government is not practical in Pakistan for many reasons, all we know. As a political science student I can clearly see the outcome of this confrontation between Army and Civil Government i.e another Martial Law is in its way in Pakistan.
Way to go Sir. :) Pakistan Army Zindabaad! To all of those who say that Musharraf should be tried because no one is above the law, I say that politicians and democratic government should be tried instead for looting Pakistan and destabilizing the image of the army!
@Shah: Take all-related to task as well. Selective justice is no justice. Why to victimize one person only in this country who clearly delivered on so many accounts. The so called democratic leaders (most of them) should come forward and plead guilty for plundering this country as if it was their state. Take everyone to task may it be those in uniform (obviously under relevant laws). Sadly, as I write these lines, the rampage is on lead by flag bearers of democracy!
@Nida Alvi: akistan is a sovereign & democratic country-----------------------very funny
if we are talking of justice, there is no excuse of sickness of his mother.If he is allowed to go abroad then apply this law every criminal in Pakistan.no one should be treated as special, whether general,judge or PM. All Pakistanis are equal, must be treated equally. if he insisted bring her mother to Pakistan. amazing to see a person himself in ICU and refused to appear in court many times unless court issued non bailable warrants wants to see another patient who is thousands of kilometer away. these superiors have been playing with law for last 65-years. now enough is enough. he is now indicted, Let courts do the job. all roads to go out should pass through courts. FOR Commando: Man show your spine now and face the courts what ever you done good or bad for this country.
"General Raheel advised Nawaz Sharif to close the case of Musharraf". Now, that is a sure sign of a failed state!!!
ET - Not better then PTV - with filteration
For a while I thought I fell asleep. Lying motionless inside a dream that at least we have reached the civil, democratic superiority . Then rising suddenly I felt a chilling breath upon me and found whispers in my ear that our reins are still in others hands.
@Nida If the Army Chief is the subserviant to the Govt then how how overthrows the people instated political govt. ET headings shows who owns the power in Pakistan
Whole drama was for nothing. It's but clear Pakistan armed forces has no desire to be in subordinate position n this was/is the tragic story. Unfortunately, so far no one civilian political leader has come in to control this wild horse. Judiciary once again showed that it is only here to punish poor, helpless n unfortunate people, when it comes to rich n powerful, this institution fails or pass the buck. It further shows that since so called independence people are still slave, before to british rule n from 1947 to rich n armed forces. Such habitually n unrealistic continuity surely can't save the nation from disaster. With all due respect to our forces, please realize world is passing through 21st century n realities are different. You are hired to serve n protect, Not by any means rule your own nation. Sorry to say this But please think about it.
@MAD: Well, you cannot have it both ways - if you cannot exercise your right (PM) and are "bullied" or "intimidated" - resign and tell that to the nation about it - expose the threats. If you don't - you are just a coward and just living your fine life and enrich your own interests.
@Nida Alvi: No you dont get it. ET just put everything in perspective. Just tells you who still holds the real reins of power in Pakistan. I agree with all your said but all that is ideal not reality.
ET, your headline is quite misleading... Army Chief or any other institution or country cannot "advise" the elected Government in Pakistan. Pakistan is a sovereign & democratic country and this fact has to be acknowledged by our "friends" in the middle east and the west. Everyone has to respect our sovereignty! Army Chief is subservient to the Government and not the other way, as the impression being depicted by your headline. By imposing emergency, arresting judiciary and curbing the media Musharraf has committed crime to the Pakistani nation and as such he must apologize to the nation before seeking any favor/deal.
If politicians, judiciary, media and the civil society beleive that indicting Musharraf will close the door of future military takeover, then they are absolutely wrong. As long as the politicians keep corrupt practices to run the country, sooner or later, another military coup is inevitable. But next time, it would be ‘bloody’, as the incoming General will first safeguard himself and do a massive clean-up of the politcians. Simply indicting an honest General is not the solution unless the entire system is changed or improved from corrupt politicians and the economic prosperity and good governance are guaranteed.
When will Pakistani's ever learn.
There is no legal issue left now and it is purely a political decision.
.......... this is what politicians are doing with Pakistan and it's people... they don't like to work within their domain or for the people of Pakistan but always work how to get best of the best for them...
Let him go and get it over with. He will be convicted in absentia. A sentence that would be imposed if he ever steps foot in Pakistan again. Musharraf will likely live out the rest of his days in self-exile.
One more time one brotherly country punctures our elevated sense of sovereignty and "functioning democracy", the other characters are just sundries to the plot.
Musharraf should not go to the high court for removing his name from the ECL. He should call Nawaz Sharif's bluff. Let everything roll and see who blinks.
Treason under Article 6 is one of the biggest charges that a person can be charged with.And it is being suggested that he be allowed to leave the country. Then logically every murderer,rapist, thief should be extended same privilege. All are equal before Allah and also the constitution of the country.
This whole thing is a meaningless imbroglio. Why go through with it if Mr. Musharraf is allowed to leave the country now, and will never be punished if convicted? This is another deceptive Pakistani stunt.
Bye Bye, Sir....take care of yourself.
We already knew special court put ball in federal government court. And federal government put it in Sindh High court court, and we all knew how Sindh and Punjab High Courts make there decisions, So it is matter of time when MQM (Farough Naseem) goes to one of the judge in Sindh High Court with a request for removing Musharaf name from ECL. Before Friday, Musharaf will be in Dubai.
I would be supporting Musharraf to leave the country only if he had accepted the charges against him. Be a man like the commando you are and accept the charges and you will get a lot of support from the people. Stop it with the dictatorial arrogance now will you ?