The Senate on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the arrest of former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf upon his arrival in Pakistan and institution of treason charges against him under Article 6 of the Constitution.
The resolution, backed by PML-N’s Raja Zafarul Haq, ANP’s Afrasiab Khattak, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Prof Khursheed Ahmed, JUI-F’s Dr Khalid Soomro, National Party’s Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Pakhtukhwa Milli Awami Party’s Abdul Rahim Mandokhel, was presented by Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) senior leader Senator Raza Rabbani, who also heads the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS).
Among the chief reasons cited in the resolution for the stringent action was the charge that the former president had abrogated the Constitution twice and damaged national security by entering into accords with the US. The resolution also charged that Musharraf had handed over Pakistan’s airbases to the US and detained honorable top judges. The resolution went on to state that Musharraf had also decreased the share of provinces in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award and caused enormous losses to the national exchequer.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Rabbani said Musharraf had used state power to both suppress Baloch nationalists and assist the killing of veteran Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
While moving the resolution Rabbani informed the house that Senators Abdul Rahim Mandokhel, Professor Khursheed Ahmed, and Afrasyab Khan Khattak also intended to move a resolution against the self-exiled former president.
And even though Senate Chairman Farooq H Naek gave permission to the senators to debate the resolution, Rabbani declared that since the resolution was on behalf of all parties present and was self-explanatory, members had decided not to hold any debate and to pass it unanimously.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had assured the Senate that Musharraf would be arrested upon his return to Pakistan.
“I assure this house that if he lands in Pakistan, he will be arrested because he is a proclaimed offender in the Benazir Bhutto murder case,” the minister had said.
The interior minister’s assurance came after Rabbani had submitted a 10-point charge sheet in the Senate calling for the former dictator’s arrest.
Pervez Musharraf, who had earlier announced that he would returning to Pakistan between January 27 and 30, has now delayed plans after close friends and aides in London advised him against his homecoming.
Earlier during the proceedings, the upper house saw low attendance and a lack of interest by federal ministers. Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour was the only minister present in the house. The private members’ day agenda was due to be discussed on Monday, however a major part of the 30-point agenda was deferred till the next private members’ day due to the absence of movers and members.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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Mr. Rabbani should be taken to task for hurriedly and desperately getting the resolution passed without any discussion whatsover in the senate thereby disregarding procedure.
Nice try Mr. Rabbani! Trying to divert attention from the numerous scandals your govt is involved in!
Its the PPP government who arranged guard of honors for Musharraf and now as their term is about to end they want to raise all the issues again. Very clever Mr. Rabbani !
@Amjad
Constitution is for Pakistan - not Pakistan is for constitution.
@Khan Badshah:
PTI doesnt have any members in the senate.
I am very upset on Rabbani's resolution. If Senate wants to assert itself, it should start with arresting serving generals and judges who were part of Musharaf's regime.
Musharraf must be brought to justice. Give him an exemplary punishment to teach all those anti-democracy elements who wish to enjoy powers after toppling elected governments.
Musharraf is a traitor; he misused his powers; he suspended constitutions of Pakistan.. The charge list is so long that he must be hanged for several times.
Why did Raza Rabbani and his team allowed Musharraf to leave Pakistan when he could have been easily arrested and tried??Looks like they are STILL SCARED of this dictator!!!
It took you four years to bring this resolution out while the tenure of Senate is almost over. There is no will to try Mr. Mussharaf for real.
If Musharraf is tried under article 6, then he will be not alone. Though resolution passed at this time speaks only the name of Musharraf but it seems to be well thought move. Later on his collaborators could also be tried including the then corps commanders and the judiciary who endorsed his revolt as constitionally lawful. Its a high level game plan architected by a man sitting on top hill
Resolution not signed by MQM, it will be discussed in the house again.
@Cheema: Is the constitution a mockery? Don't you think taking over illegally and making a dictatorship is the real threat to the nation? Unless, Musharraf is tried for treason, what will stop the next general from taking over whenever he wants without regard to parliament or the constitution?
Why PTI not supported this resolution. PTI officials have to address this matter.
This is all mockery, where have all these parties been? This means that all these parties consdier Musharraf as a real athreat to their corruptions.
When the resolution has not been signed by MQM then how it is an unanimously adopted resolution of the house ?
Yes try the good guy while others run around filling up their bank accounts.