Holding one man responsible for all the sins of those eight years is unfair.
RAWALPINDI: Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf ruled the country for eight long years with the explicit support of many generals, judges and politicians who are now the champions of democracy and rule of law; some of his cabinet members are now contesting elections under parties opposed to the general’s rule. His actions against honourable judges were unjust and illegal, but another group of honourable judges was readily available to support his rule. He left the presidency following the installation of the elected government and after receiving a guard of honour.
The elected government did not prosecute General (retd) Musharraf for high treason as per the Constitution for eight months while he was in the country, and even the caretaker government has now expressed its inability to do so. The beneficiaries of his rule, including those who voted for him to amend the Constitution and also voted for him twice to install him in the presidency while in uniform, have left him except for a few with the moral courage to stand by him in adversity. Holding one man responsible for all the sins of those eight years is unfair and against the principles of natural justice.
Engr M Akram Niazi
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2013.
