File photo of PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD:
While murmurs of former president Pervez Musharraf’s treason trial and his sudden hospitalisation were heard in the upper house of parliament on the first day of the 100th session on Friday, the chatter did not spiral out of control as was expected.
On a point of order, PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar voiced his doubt that the army was unhappy over the proceedings of Musharraf’s trial as was claimed by the former general in an interview.
Senator Babar said that if the army did not clarify its former boss’s statement, then it would be deemed true. “We expected the ISPR to formally react to the statement, just as it did to the statement by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan,” he said. “If the ISPR can issue a statement to such a political statement, then its silence over Musharraf’s claim is meaningful.”
Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq was quick to defend the army, saying there was no need for such a clarification. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has already responded to Musharraf’s statement, he added.
ANP criticises ‘opaque’ policies
Continuing the debate over Senator Raza Rabbani’s motion on the law and order situation, ANP lawmaker Haji Adeel said the government’s policy was unclear on several issues. “Appropriate measures to curb militancy, especially in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, are missing,” he added.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s blockade of Nato supply routes invalidated commitments made to the international community, he said and questioned the federal government’s silence over the PTI’s actions.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2014.
COMMENTS (19)
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Does Musarraf go abroad under pretext of madical ground ?
The ansewer is a ''Big No''
Yes he may go for some time to visit his mother even if he is in the list of ECL . Because this is a biased list .
He is a commado who knows the entry - exit skill of a vortex .
yes, silance is meaningful . Then what .... ?
Now look , which party is playing with Billa and Tomcat simultaneously .
Senator Babar said that if the army did not clarify its former boss’s statement, then it would be deemed true. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So how many hours have passed since Sen Babar made that statement?
you have been silent on Zardari's illness whenever he left for Dubai,as spokesperson you did not tell the truth always kept secret.
Escape route for Musharraf.
The former General is becoming a real embarrasment for both army and the country aswell as for his family.The name of the game is to stay cool and quiet! Any statement be it positive or negative may prove dangerous for the army brass.
Rex Minor
if you worried for Pakistan than what happened with the Swiss cases. where is the looted money
@polpot: All military officers/soldiers/serving and ret.are entitle to be facilitated in military's hospital.You need to update your knowledge.
I heard a very good quote in a talk show. I do not remember the exact wording but it was to the affect that if you need to break a nation then turn the people against its Army. With our politicians , civil servants and private citizens setting examples of piety , equality and humanity ; military is the institution where we should aim our guns .
That was a cute thing to expect waise.
@Nikki: "Why should the ISPR issue statement over Musharraf’s personal view?" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For the same reason that Musharraf a private citizen was admitted in the AFCI.
The letter S in ISPR stands for +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Silence.!
Why should the ISPR issue statement over Musharraf's personal view?
generals are above law and constitution in this country and still remain so despite all the democracy media freedom hogwash
In every family there is one individual who becomes a embarrassment for the family name.Farhatullah is one such person for the Babar family of KPK. He can be ignored.
generals' army will support generals it's only logical