Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: FILE
In a strong rebuff to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Defence Secretary Lt General (retd) Asif Yasin Malik said on Tuesday that the army had no stake in the treason indictment of the former president.
Spelling out the military’s stance on Musharraf’s trial, Malik said that the army had no interest in the case.
“Pakistan Army has no connection with the trial of former army chief Pervez Musharraf in the special court,” Malik told the media soon after attending the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production.
The military, according to him, has no interest in the trial. He also pointed out that there are no servicemen present on the judicial panel that heads the special court constituted to try the former president.
The defence secretary said he was unaware that Musharraf had sought army’s help to get himself out of the legal mess.
Last month, during an interview, Musharraf claimed that he had the backing of the country’s powerful army in the case. The military, however, remained silent on the comment made by its former chief.
Commenting on the former military ruler’s health condition, Malik said the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) is considered as one of the best hospitals in the world for cardiac treatment. “The former president [Musharraf] should be satisfied with the treatment he is receiving at the AFIC,” he said.
Musharraf was rushed to the AFIC in Rawalpindi, on his way to the tribunal last week.
Team to visit Waziristan
During the meeting, the head of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production, MNA Sheikh Rohail Asghar directed the defence ministry to make necessary arrangements for committee members’ visit to Waziristan Agency. “Defence Secretary Lt General (retd) Asif Yasin will arrange a visit of the committee to Waziristan with consultation of Pakistan Army and the concerned commandant operating in the agency,” Asghar said.
Surveying and mapping
In a move that effectively enables the National Mapping Organisation to assume its role. The NA panel passed the Surveying and Mapping Act, 2013.
However, Dr Shireen Mazari of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf gave her dissent note, voicing her reservation over clause 16 (2) which stated “No classified maps and data shall be allowed to be used by foreign consultants, firms or organisations unless security clearance of Pakistan.”
During the course of the proceedings, Mazari suggested that foreign consultants, firms or organisation shall not be allowed access on classified maps or data.
Major General Zahid Shah, Surveyor General of Pakistan, said the main objective is to introduce the bill to meet the surging security challenges in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2014.
COMMENTS (26)
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May be you are now living in the country of paradise.. It was far more better in his era.. Look through the sight of common man.. Look at the ground facts.. Not those facts that are articulated by politicians and media. @Nida Alvi
Anyways.. However we are living in a sick democracy.. Everyone has its own opinion..
@Azmat Khan:
I dont agree with you Azmat. Our politicians does not know the meaning of democracy. Their parties are dynasty parties. Our people are illetrate and does not understand the meaning of democracy. They can be bought for a packet of sugar to give their vote. Our politicians spends crores of rupees on an election and if elected they will find ways of corruption to make up the amount spend. They cannot deliver because of that. I am positive and lot of people will agree with me there should be check and balance of Army otherwise these politicians willl sold the country and move out as they did not have anything in the homeland.
@Nida Alvi:
Musharraf is a great leader. Pakistan was progressing and get rid of IMF from borrowing. Generally there is a well being in the country. In every field we were moving forward. Considering his achievements Musharraf should be made life time President. All the politicial parties - they are corrupt and never delivered to the nation except their own pockets should be banned until our nation learned the meaning of true democracy. NOW I PRESENT TO YOU THE PRESIDENT FOR LIFE GEN R PERVAIZ MUSHARRAF.
@Khan:
This case is filed against Musharraf only when there are lots of culprits are there. Second if the politicians have done their job properly then the army does not need to come to save the country. On both counts I agree on Musharraf stance of not coming to the court even if he is ok. There is a third element is there to which the court is discussing and will announce its decision and that is its jurisdiction. Since Musharraf has signed the emergency declaration as the army chief so the jurisdiction of the trial suppose to be the military court.
Question to average pakistanis - Are you better off now or 6 years ago?
It is a good news.Military intervention in politics days are gone with the wind for ever.In it lies the honour of the military, country and us all.Now only democracy will prevail in Pakistan.
@oBSERVER: Just because Gen.Kayani did not interfere, he is 'trash' according to you? That is disingenuous. That is exactly the way Generals behave in countries that are thriving. Pakistan's obsession with martial law is the main cause of the nation's plight.
All those who escape the judicial process of their crimes should be aware that they must answer to the people instead and ultimately to the Creator, God almighty.
Rex Minor
If the army supports Mushy, they're damned. If they don't they are damned too. Moral of the story: Politics is a dirty game. You should know the game to play it.
There are two forces who are ruling Pakistan, imperialists through their local agents in politics and establishment. Exile, hanging, making cases and putting in jail always make popular to these puppet politicians and make military public reputation bad. Establishment has decided to counter anti-state,imperialists loyal and corrupt politicians through politics. Establishment will not come at front end, but will play active role from back end to counter these corrupt parties. Although this strategy is tough, because Pakistani elites are also very powerful, as we have seen rigging by in general elections. But for long term, this strategy will secure and stable, Musharraf always wanted role of military in politics at front end.
This Yasin is a product of Pervez Kayani. So what can you expect from such trash but trash.
Actually only corruption supporters are against Musharraf. Log live our honest hero and savior of the country.
I know the inner circles in army as my family members are members or former members of armed forces and rest assured i am saying with authority army is with him!
@Bob: A leader for life being diagnosed with 9 ailments in just a week whereas he was openly giving interviews to media and showed no signs of anything before?
The followers of Musharraf conveniently ignore the blatant fact that Army is an INSTITUTION and not an INDIVIDUAL or a personal FIEFDOM of some old man.
What Musharraf has been doing in his personal capacity and hiding behind the Army uniform. Musharraf dragged Army into civilian life and doled out a number of jobs to his cronies, who broke all records of corruption in Railways, NLC & DHA etc. All his misdeeds have brought bad name to this great institution.
The medical report issued by AFIC is a testimony that Army wants to stay away from the mudslinging and personal misdeeds of a former Chief. On Tuesday 7th January 2014, the COAS General Raheel Sharif visited the AFIRM which is next to AFIC. But the COAS never visited Musharraf!
The days of justice are very close for Musharraf & his former cronies.
Pervez Musharraf is a hero, those who hate him really dont understand how good we had it when he was in charge. Scrap the trial, Musharraf should be made leader for life. With immediate effect.
generals are above the law in this country and they ensure all of them remain so. law is for the ordinary subjects in this country
"ISLAMABAD:In a strong rebuff to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Defence Secretary Lt General (retd) Asif Yasin Malik said on Tuesday that the army had no stake in the treason indictment of the former president." This statement is given by defence secretary,appointed by PML-N,not by ISPR which gives the most authentic,trustworthy and credible statements regarding army's matters and only the ISPR's statement shall be most credible and authentic in this regard not defence secretary's statement which has not been given yet....
Stop looking for excuses and come to the court and face the charges. If you think you have nothing to lose then turn up and stop looking for excuses. Tell the court you did what you had to in the name of the country. Face up to it and be a real man.
Its so obvious that the army is backing its former Chief of Staff. Without their assistance Musharraf would not have been able to reach AFIC and kept in isolation!
A court Marshal is still needed against Gen Pervez Musharraf for misusing Army while he was COAS against the will of the Officers and Jawans.
Actually Gen(R) Sahib is suffering from "Arza-e-Umul-Amraz" that usually causes 72 diseases according to Hakeems. He must be treated accordingly, on humanitarian basis, apart from any kind of prejudice. For he is our formal president and chief of army staff.
No wonder Mush is crying and hiding. Of course he is having heartaches (not heart attack) the same way most Pakistanis feel each day of their working lives. Commando has never gone through the hardships of life and has always lived in luxury that is why he fails at every challenge from Kargil to his trial.
Since when the Defense Secretary became spokesman of Armed Forces? It would be a great news, if so !!!!
So what is Katsura going to say now