WikiLeaks: Musharraf admits mishandling CJP's 'corruption accusations'

In a cable released by WikiLeaks, Musharraf took responsibility for not having a "what if" plan.

Former president of Pakistan and current chief of the All Parties Muslim League, Pervez Musharraf had confided to a US diplomat that his government “had made a mess of handling corruption accusations against the Chief Justice” in 2007.

This information was revealed in a WikiLeaks cable classified by former US Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who wrote:

He (Musharraf) took personal responsibility for not having developed a “what if” plan — referring, among other things, to the lack of consideration of what would happen if the Chief Justice refused to resign after learning of the reference against him.  Musharraf emphasized that he believed the Chief Justice was corrupt and had damaged judicial institutions.  Something had to be done, he said, though he admitted his government had handled the problem badly.

The cable also said that Musharraf was personally directing damage control. According to the ambassador, he had provided specific orders to the police and other agencies, telling them to leave the media alone  and not to engage protesters head on.

Musharraf said he had personally ordered all relevant institutions to allow the Chief Justice unfettered movement around Pakistan.

Cable Referenced: WikiLeaks no. 101935

The full text of the cables can be read on Dawn.com, The Hinduand NDTV. WikiLeaks has previously released cables to other media organisations including Guardian and the New York Times.