Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
As dramatic events continue to unfold, General (retd) Musharraf slipped away from the court as the arrest orders were issued, hastily reached his vehicle with his guards and is now at his farm house in Chak Shahzad. Lawyers gathered outside the court shouted slogans as he fled. The police have since blocked off routes to the residence and the next development is being awaited. There is conjecture that the farm house may be declared a sub-jail, while a spokesman for the former president has said that they plan to appeal in the Supreme Court, given General (retd) Musharraf has bail in the treason case against him. The ex-dictator, who had said recently that he was ready to face the courts, is facing criticism for failing to give himself up.
The situation adds to the many pre-poll complications we are facing. Technically perhaps, the government should be acting to enforce court orders. But the main role of the caretaker set-up is to conduct elections. Getting embroiled in matters such as the Musharraf affair would hamper it. We do not quite know if other factors are involved. In our country, with its history of military rule, the arrest of a former army chief is no ordinary issue. Talk of intervention from foreign powers is also circulating in Islamabad where rumours fly at the speed of light, with General (retd) Musharraf now in a very different position from that he occupied till 2008 as head of state. The repercussions from the latest chain of events will soon become clear.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Zee Paki: "They must be loving the current condition of Pakistan as opposed to the growth, peace, and prosperity during the Musharraf rule." True that the last PPP Government's rule made Musharraf look like a lesser evil. But compare the performance of the governments (1988-1999) prior to the dictator's rule and you shall find that their showing was much better and none of these subverted the Constitution. How can you support a subverter of the Constitution and the State?
In such scenarios we need independent analysis and the nation must be guided if Judiciary or Ex President does something wrong. All that appears is dirty politics by everybody.
Waiting for the day when we are actually able to arrest convicted criminals. OGRA chief anyone?
Wish him all the worst in life !!!
One more thing. The media seems very happy. They must be loving the current condition of Pakistan as opposed to the growth, peace, and prosperity during the Musharraf rule. It is sad that Pakistani media don't know what is good for Pakistan, and they are thankless. Calling Musharraf a dictator when he is the one that freed the media in the first place is certainly shameful.
Back in 2011 the courts ordered that Musharraf's assets (including his farm) be confiscated - how does a guy hide out in a confiscated farm?
@Billoo Bhaya:A general who illegaly takes over power and rules as a dictator for 10years should never be called a hero but rather a coward. All of Pakistan's current problems are due to this so called "hero" who likes to point guns at his own capital.
Musharraf's epitaph: From Hero to Zero.