Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
The report quoted PML-N parliamentarian Tariq Azeem as saying that the party has decided to try Musharraf for treason in the Supreme Court.
“General Musharraf had violated the Constitution and he should face the music,” he was quoted as saying.
Azeem added that prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif has made it clear that he has no personal issue with Musharraf but “he should be tried for breaking the law and violating the Constitution”.
The retired general has been detained in his farmhouse in Islamabad since April 19 on charges of conspiracy to murder former premier Benazir Bhutto, sacking of judges when he imposed emergency rule in 2007, and the 2006 death of Akbar Bugti.
The caretaker government had refused to hold Musharraf’s trial, saying that it wanted to focus on conducting free and fair elections.
Senior political analyst Raza Rumi had said that the greatest dilemma PML-N faces for its incoming government is whether to prosecute Musharraf.
“If PML-N goes ahead with Musharraf’s trial it runs the risk of enraging Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. If not, then it loses the moral high ground it has maintained for a decade,” he told The Express Tribune.
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@Shan:
"He is the next President of Pakistan."
It is unfortunate that in Pakistan we are confused and do not understand role of a President. Thanks to people like Zia, Musharraf and now Zardari. President according to our constitution is a ceremonial post and is head of state not head of government, so cannot make any policy decisions. That is job of a PM. If he is cleared of all the cases and miraculously becomes a president, AND follows our constitution, he would not be in any position to make any difference. I hope you are not suggesting him (as a future president) interfering in affairs of government and office of PM and once again insult our constitution.
Just as an example have you ever heard of President of India making any policy or operational decisions, it is always their PM.
Unbelievable. The guy who saved us from going bankrupt in 1999 when Mian Sahab left us with $300M reserves and a collapsed economy is going to be tried for treason? What treason? He was the best leader we ever had. How about trying Mian Saheb for not letting that plane land which could have killed hundreds? Seriously hope the army wont just sit and watch.
Totally impossible
Mr. Musharaf will stay & get clear from all cases Insha Allah. He is the next President of Pakistan.
@Khalid:
What about Musharraf's lawyer saying he will not go out of Pakistan. He came to stay here and to face the court. Musharraf said he is ready to go to jail if court convicted him.
Musharraf did violate constitution, which can easily fall under treason. He is not that brave, he left fearing impeachment by the parliament, he was under false impression that a lot of people are with him, number of people gathered to welcome him busted that.
However for the sake of Pakistan it is best to let him escape again. He did that for Sharif, now time to return the favor and start working for Pakistan.
Pakistan requires a solid and respectable civilian government that first has to prove and gain respect of people of Pakistan, only then they can take on the Military.
As an example, Turkey's military was notorious as well and interfered in civilian affairs time after time. Their current government proved themselves by raising living standard of the people in 2 terms and only then in their 3rd term they dared to put generals on trial. Now military cannot dare to bully them because people respect the civilian government and their justice system, and any attempt by the military to interfere with the civil government and Judiciary would cause chaos. Not the case in Pakistan yet.
Pathetic, the country is going down the toilet and all our leaders can worry about is personal vandettas
No one has the guts to try him & in which court .....he will not be tried even if all pages of ET are filled with negative propaganda by ET & those whom ET tries to protect by not posting comments in its columns about them.One has not come across a situation like this in any news paper as it exists in ET.There is some one sitting there who by purpose & design blacks out comments particularly during these hours.It is nothing,but shameful!!
Tariq Azeem has the sheer cheek to come out with this statement,this foolish man was a minister during Musharraf's tenure,oppurtunitist man.
@Grinz09: I think Hamid Gul is Pathan not Punjabi. he was born and raised in Punjab.
Simple and straightforward - If Musharraf were a Punjabi general (like Hamid Gul) none of this would be happening!
.It is time that the coming elected legitimate government of Pakistan should take steps to prosecute those who has violated the Constitution, indeed Musharraf did not once but twice and he has himself admitted appearing before BBC London. If justice is not done now then there will be another Bonaparte waiting in the wings to take over by force and run the country in cahoots with foreign countries like the US and GB, we have this scenario for 4 times in the past. Why should the Army be enraged, are they above the constitution or the law, well if they are then they should come out and openly say so. The lesson should be don't do these shenanigans so there will be no black spot and scourge on the institution from the citizens of Pakistan.
Send him to exile like he sent you, but I think Musharraf is tough and will not leave pakistan but who knows, its worth a try....
Tariq Azeem has a good sense of humour. He was manhandled as he was supporting Musharraf in a protest against Nov 3 emergency.
Musharraf is a brave general, who is willing to fight for his country even when the odds are against him.
Salute to Musharraf who despite all threats determined to face the court and hopefully get some justicew
This Guy Tariq azeem was a minister in Musharraf Era and now he is talking about trying Musgharraf for breaking the law and violating the Constitution”. Where wwas he law when you were sitting there as Minister and stayed there till Musharraf resigned.You guys have no character Nothing will happen to Musharraf as he has done nothing wrong Insha Allah
The positive thing for common Pakistanis is that: 1. It was Musharraf during whose tenure they were living a comfortable trade friendly life, 2. It was Musharraf who, despite being a dictator, spoke the hearts of nation out at every forum, even in India regarding Kashmir & other issues. 3. If tried, he will be the first in the line, and SURELY, NONE OF CORRUPT & INCOMPETENT POLITICIAN OR BEARUCRAT WILL BE SPARED, thereby making Pakistan a beautiful place to live.
Even if Musharraf leave, he can be brought back. This is going to major crisis for PML bigger than energy crisis. Let see who wins establishment or their cronies, PML.
Hats off to Musharraf... Giving really a tough time even if he is in jail to Nawaz Sharif, CJ and media... All of them want him to leave country but he is not accepting it... A true Lion Heart confident in Allah and himself since he hasn't done anything wrong
No government can dare try an ex-general for treason. These are just revenge actions in the name of upholding the constitution.
THAT WILL BE THE DAY !! The nations destiny will change the day a General is brought to justice for crimes against the Constitution. Please also include the Judges who endorsed him. Kick them out first and then take them to task !!
wasn't Tariq Azeem's in Q league's government?
I think Musharraf should be sent abroad..... Nawaz Sharif should focus on Present not PAST. CJ must also learn to move on..... Pakistan can't afford another military takeover....
so settling personal scores has become the top priority for MNS. and people are looking for solving other pressing issues.
there is no point of making these statements..it's simply to put pressure on Musharraf to leave Pakistan... Tareq Azeem is well aware that they will not be able to convict General Musharraf at any cost... to save PMLN from embarrassment, they want Musharraf to leave Pakistan, which Musharraf will never do! he will die but won't leave Pakistan.
for the best interest of Pakistan, and smooth running of Democracy (say civil dictatorship), Nawaz Sharief should not pursue cases against Musharraf... he can simply say "we don't want the fight and tussle between Government institution.. i.e. Army, Judiciary and Civil Bureaucracy...
new government need to bring the hype of this case down. let law ministry do what constitution, penal code and courts say without interference or comments from prime minister. its a matter of implementation of law and nobody should score points/take shelter under politics
Tariq Azeem ...he has had a change of heart.
Another Topi drama is about to start!
none other than PML-N government will be giving him a safe exit . I can bet on that!
Very clever indeed. This move by PML-N is to pressurize the judiciary to let Musharraf go before the new government takes over. It will be very embarrassing for the sitting judges, who endorsed the military take over, to try the case of treason. Musharraf's legal team will have a field day asking awkward questions from the judges. In addition the judges will find it difficult to prove that they are not biased while the case of judge's detention is ongoing.
The incoming govt must try musharraf treason charges and they dont need to worry about the feelings of anyone. Constitution must be applied otherwise it should be changed so that it is not dishonoured.