Press conference: Arrest Musharraf, demands Lal Masjid cleric
Maulana Aziz says a vicious backlash is possible if Musharraf is not punished for his role in Lal Masjid incident.
ISLAMABAD:
Lal Masjid’s chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz called upon the administration to arrest General Pervez Musharraf in connection with several cases, including the 2007 military operation at the mosque.
A “vicious backlash” is possible if Musharraf is not punished by the law for his role in the killing of the students of the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, Aziz said at a press conference.
He said though he was disappointed with the present legal system of the country, he was raising his voice as a mark of protest.
Responding to a question, Aziz said he supports Talal Bugti’s offer to pay a billion rupees to whoever kills Musharraf. If no process is initiated against Musharraf under the law, people have the right to target him for his cruel acts, Maulana Abdul Aziz said.
He also criticised political parties and the courts for “granting immunity” to the former military dictator who overthrew a democratically elected government, abrogated the constitution and held the judiciary hostage. “Gen Musharraf has been welcomed like a viceroy,” he said.
To a query, Aziz said that he faced courts for five years and was proven innocent but no action has been initiated against Musharraf so far. “I forgave Musharraf in my personal capacity, but it is up to the heirs of martyrs whether they forgive him or not,” said Aziz.
Maulana Aziz’s counsel Tariq Assad said that the commission on Lal Masjid operation did not work in a satisfactory manner, as no serving official of Pakistan Army was summoned to record their statements.
He said if Musharraf was not put on the Exit Control List, the apex judiciary would be responsible for his escape from Pakistan.
He also alleged that registrar’s office of Supreme Court was taking up matters of political nature only.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2013.
Lal Masjid’s chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz called upon the administration to arrest General Pervez Musharraf in connection with several cases, including the 2007 military operation at the mosque.
A “vicious backlash” is possible if Musharraf is not punished by the law for his role in the killing of the students of the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, Aziz said at a press conference.
He said though he was disappointed with the present legal system of the country, he was raising his voice as a mark of protest.
Responding to a question, Aziz said he supports Talal Bugti’s offer to pay a billion rupees to whoever kills Musharraf. If no process is initiated against Musharraf under the law, people have the right to target him for his cruel acts, Maulana Abdul Aziz said.
He also criticised political parties and the courts for “granting immunity” to the former military dictator who overthrew a democratically elected government, abrogated the constitution and held the judiciary hostage. “Gen Musharraf has been welcomed like a viceroy,” he said.
To a query, Aziz said that he faced courts for five years and was proven innocent but no action has been initiated against Musharraf so far. “I forgave Musharraf in my personal capacity, but it is up to the heirs of martyrs whether they forgive him or not,” said Aziz.
Maulana Aziz’s counsel Tariq Assad said that the commission on Lal Masjid operation did not work in a satisfactory manner, as no serving official of Pakistan Army was summoned to record their statements.
He said if Musharraf was not put on the Exit Control List, the apex judiciary would be responsible for his escape from Pakistan.
He also alleged that registrar’s office of Supreme Court was taking up matters of political nature only.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2013.