Lawmakers trade barbs over Musharraf verdict

Provincial legislature passes resolution for restoration of student unions

QUETTA: The last week’s verdict of a special court also echoed in the Balochistan Assembly where a provincial minister was continually interrupted by opposition members when he tried to criticise the court order that, he said, is against ethics, humanity and Islamic injunctions.

A three-judge special court on Dec 17 convicted former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf and sentenced him to death for abrogating the Constitution in November 2007.

The military had expressed ‘pain and anguish’ over the verdict

The detailed verdict of the court, however, sparked further controversy as head of the bench, Justice Waqar Seth, recommended that the dead body of the former military ruler be dragged to Islamabad’s D-Chowk and hung there for three-days if Musharraf dies a natural death.

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Taking the floor on a point of order on Friday, Balochistan Finance Minister Zahoor Ahmed Buledi took exception to the verdict which he said was against humanity, ethics and Islamic injunctions.

“I am not defending General Musharraf but the order about dragging his body and hanging it for three days at D-Chowk in Islamabad is against the Islamic values. We are living in a civilised world and such verdict is defaming the country.”

He said the judgment against Musharraf had sent tremors across the country, as, according to Buledi, Musharraf had not been given chance of a fair trial.

“If someone is involved in any case he should be given the opportunity to defend himself,” he said. “Nobody is above the law and he is not opposing trial against Musharraf.”

During the entire speech, lawmakers from opposition benches continued to interrupt the minister

Opposition members – Sanaullah Baloch and Akhtar Hussain Langove of Balochistan National Party (BNP-M)-raised objection to the speech and said the minister could not comment on the verdict of a court.

They strongly criticised General Musharraf and continued to interrupt Buledi’s speech. Some other members from both sides of the aisle also stood up and started speaking for and against Musharraf.

Speaker Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, however, allowed, the minister to complete his speech, saying that a court judgment could be discussed in the house.

The assembly also adopted a resolution with majority vote, demanding restoration of student unions in the educational institutions of Balochistan. The resolution was tabled by Sanaullah Baloch.

Speaking on the resolution, Baloch said student unions have a profound role in character building of young students. “Role of student unions in the educational institution cannot be overemphasised. Balochistan should contact the federal government for restoration of the student union in the country.”

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He said student unions have always been nurseries of political leaders. “I myself am product of the BSO [Baloch Student Organisation] and I am proud of it. Unions should be restored cross the country.”

Nasarullah Zerey of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) said: “Ban on student unions is not fruitful. The ban has resulted in increasing problems for the students.”

He demanded that the unions should be restored without any further delay. Dictators – General Ziaul Haq and General Ayub Khan – felt threatened by these unions and imposed a ban on them, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2019.