Pervez Musharraf prays after he arrived at the Karachi International airport from Dubai, in Karachi on March 24, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Moreover, the lacklustre reaction to General (retd) Musharraf’s return was entirely appropriate. Nothing would have wounded the proud army man quite as much as the apathy with which he is now regarded. There were more journalists than well-wishers at the Karachi airport, which is exactly how it should be. General (retd) Musharraf is now an irrelevant sideshow in Pakistani politics, someone whose coverage in the international media is in inverse proportion to the influence he actually wields. His political party, the APML, is made up of just himself and a few of his old cronies. One hopes he runs in the upcoming elections only so that it is proven that there is no nostalgia for the Musharraf era.
However, just because General (retd) Musharraf is irrelevant, does not mean that he should be forgotten. The judiciary should take a keen interest in his return. He should be made to face trial for the murder of Akbar Bugti and his many other assorted misdemeanours. Above all, he should be held accountable for shredding the Constitution. The precedent which would be set by putting a former military dictator on trial could deter future adventurers from their dreams of coups. The Supreme Court could also use the Musharraf case to prove to its doubters that it holds no water for the military and is interested only in providing disinterested justice. We are still paying the price for Musharraf’s years in power so it is only appropriate that he suffer too.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2013.
COMMENTS (6)
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A hard hitting but apt editorial. He is not only responsible for murder of eminent personalities in Pakistan but for deaths of hundreds of soldiers on both sides of the border.
Killing of Akar Bugti = Life imprisonment Disrupting Judiciary = 14 years rigorous imprisonment Condoning Corruption = 7 years rigorous imprisonment Mutiny = Death by hanging Lal Masjid murders = 10 years rigorous imprisonment Kargil misadventure = 10 years rigorous imprisonment (death of thousand soldiers and abandoning the dead bodies) A special court to be set up to try all these cases.
Come on Tribune Editorial. Let's not put a bias in our analysis. Especially if its being read by many around the world.
According to a Gallup survey, the coup back in 1999 was favored by more than 70% of the Pakistani population. The man brought on economic stability and we all know that when there is silver tonic, there are no pains too chronic.
There was a matter of Lal Masjid that could have been handled differently and still we would have came out successful through the tunnel; that's a mistake he made. The blast in the tunnel that took out Bugti was initiated by his own men. These are all facts, recorded in the history.
Musharraf only lacked good political partners; consequently lacked good advice. As a leader, he wasn't half bad.
Let's give out credit where its deserved.
If Musharraf is made to suffer then others like Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and thousands of others must also be made accountable for their past misdeeds of loot, plunder and other corrupt practices. Musharraf may have made mistakes but they were not committed to enrich himself at the cost of the country and the poor.
I agree with this editorial - unless Musharraf is held responsible for his act of taking over against the law, what will stop other generals or even civilians from doing the same. We teach our kids to respect laws and follow the rules of society but people like Musharraf or the Taleban think they can just show guns and take over when it suits them. Musharraf will fail in the polls but that is irrelevent because he must be charged for his past actions during his dictatorship. Only this will serve as a deterrent for the next would be dictator.
"We are still paying the price for Musharraf’s years in power so it is only appropriate that he suffer too" how can you can say this? media men were destitutes prior to Musharraf. You must thank him that he has provided you with livelihood.........