Three years may have passed since General Pervez Musharraf was forced from power but even now the task of recovering from his decade-long reign is far from over. Justice, for one, has yet to be served to a man who tried hard to pervert the course of justice through his meddling in judicial matters. This is the key to understanding why a local magistrate in Balochistan has just issued arrest warrants for Musharraf and former prime minister Shaukat Aziz among others for the murder of Akbar Bugti. Of course, these warrants should have been issued a long time ago, especially given that both respondents are no longer in Pakistan. But it makes us feel better knowing that those who hurt this country through their illegitimate rule are not likely to come back thanks to the courts.
Reasonable people may disagree about whether the military action Musharraf took against Bugti constituted murder. What no one can deny is that Bugti’s killing reignited the uprising in Balochistan and contributed greatly to the rise of separatist sentiment in the province. For that, Musharraf should have to face the music. His actions are made all the more galling by the fact that he had no mandate to carry out this operation. The upshot of his dictatorial rule is that even when he undertook military and police operations against militants, as was the case in Lal Masjid, it led to far more anger than when civilian governments did the same thing.
The sad fact is that Musharraf will never be held fully accountable for the damage he did to the country. Despite his repeated assertions that he will return to Pakistan any day now, the truth is that he is unlikely to leave his comfortable life in London, where he gets paid to pontificate on politics and deliver diatribes against those politicians who actually have a public to answer to. As for Shaukat Aziz, he flew into the country when he was offered a position of power and he flew right out when the party was over. The only consolation we can get is that they were ignominiously drummed out of power.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2011.
COMMENTS (13)
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Akbar Bugti was a terrorist? Is that why air force was used to take him out? Or was it to ensure his death, as their wouldn't be any evidences to punish him in court. Oh, court reminds me, Musharraf and court didn't gel together very well. Most dictators are blessed with that. After all, they are the almighty decision makers.
president musharraf nation awaits your return on 23rd march 2012...
Writer is totally out of touch with reality! After Ayub Khan, Musharraf was the best ruler, who ruled the country with dedication, conviction, honestly & without any personal interests. Bugti was a terrorist & he deserved what he got. There are millions in Pakistan who admire, adore & love Musharraf.
Excellent Editorial. I also agree that while he huff's amd puff's, he will not dare return.
He should be given extreme punishment for his crimes against Pakistan. Do people even know what Bugti even stood for or was asking for ??? Go ask the musharraf appointed Governor Balochistan of the time, Abdul Qadir Baloch, who was core commander Quetta and musharraf's close friend, who desserted musharraf once he realised Bugti was only demanding legitimate rights for the Baloch and the army chief was being unreasonable ??? it's shocking how we don't mind military regimes anymore... don't we have any respect for rule of law anymore ??? have we fallen to such low depths of misery... you people certainly deserve it when Pakistan is in shambles... certainly its true that leadership is only a reflection of a country's people...
When have leaders ever been held accountable for their deeds in S Asia ?
It one big ' old school boy " league with each one supporting the other behind scenes secure in the knowledege that one day their good turn shall be repayed.
baseless article??? what damage he has dn????
I dont know what is the purpose of this article .
Everything going wrong in Pakistan is blamed on Musharraf so please do justice,let him come and rule the country and every thing will be back to normal again . I am sure ,The warrant will be gone with with wind when Musharraf arrives here Musharraf has said again and again ,everywhere, every time that he will return and our leader does what he says, So please wait and see .
Completely baseless allegations put on him.. the writer seems to have no understanding of governance or economy.. and, well yes, the writer seems to fully support miscreants..