If the former president quietly leaves the country under a clandestine pact, possibly brokered by foreign hands, it will be the re-enactment of an identical arrangement fashioned for his arch nemesis now occupying the seat of power. General (retd) Musharraf’s latest health scare could be the convenient fig leaf for his unhindered departure, or that is what many an astute observer of Pakistan may feel. While we cannot vouch for the accuracy or otherwise of reports appearing in the media vis-a-vis the behind-the-scenes goings-on, the turn of events do incline us to conclude that things may well lead to such an eventuality. What, for example, does the discovery of improvised explosive devices close to his farmhouse — not on one, but three occasions — signify? A vicious effort by his foes to harm him or a calibrated ploy by his devotees to rid him of the embarrassment of appearing in court? You never know. The ex-president’s previous pronouncements that he intended to clear himself of all the charges in the court of law with dignity and honour are in fact the right approach and we hope that he follows that. That things have come this far is a thing of wonder itself.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2014.
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Fight or flight.! .General in no mood to fight.Courts in no mood for flight.
@Noor Nabi: The Saudi Government has only one interest and that is to prevent Pakistan muslim leadership making unnecessarily a farce of themselves. People of Pakistan must understand this that what is avoidable must at all costs be avoided if it is against the National interest of a muslim country.
Rex Minor
The Saudi interference and involvement in Pakistan's domestic politics - a privilege earned by providing financial aid to the country through its Zakat funds and also funding the madrassahs of the extreme right wing religous parties - became overtly visible when the ambassador of the Kindom, Riad Al Khateeb, openly played a role in the PNA movement of 1077 that resulted in Zia-ul-Haq coming to power. Since then this shameless intervention has only grown to odorous proportions. It is a pity that this country that, in the name of friendship, has injected cancer cells into the body of Pakistan's politics as well as its society, continues to subvert any and all efforts made by Pakistan to get out of its mess. First they provided shelter to the Sharifs, then they brought the Sharifs back into Pakistan; and now the Foreign Minister is coming to cut a deal for Musharraf to be taken out of the country. Pakistan, no doubt, is a Muslim country but it does not need the Saudi version and interpretation of Islam.
"A vicious effort by his foes to harm him or a calibrated ploy by his devotees to rid him of the embarrassment of appearing in court? You never know." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Every Pakistani knows.!
How about putting him on trial like a real Democracy is suppose to do? If that upsets the military - tough. Turkey didn't throw off the yoke of military rule without taking some risk - time for Pakistan to step up to the plate.