One can’t help but see the irony that the many of the superior court judges that the former president has now been accused of detaining (as part of his treason charge) in fact validated his military coup in 1999. DESIGN: FAIZAN DAWOOD
First and foremost, it is obvious that the biggest achievement here is holding a former army chief accountable for his transgressions against the Constitution of Pakistan for the first time. It is an oft-quoted maxim that no one is above the law — but unfortunately the maxim has hardly been upheld when it comes to Pakistan’s justice system and particularly so when it comes to high officers of the armed forces. Let there be no mistake: his indictment is a big achievement in itself. The next step is the trial, when he will be allowed to defend himself — as he should be.
Before March 31, there was no shortage of speculation that there was no way the army would let a former chief be charged and that there was a deal in the works to get Musharraf out before anything happens. His indictment should put to rest most of this rabble-rousing. That said, it is unfortunately not without reason that this sort of speculation was rife from the day the special court was formed. Not many should be blamed for thinking that he would get a safe exit given this country’s history of letting the high and mighty off the hook to live comfortably in exile. Two appreciations are in order here. One, of the three judges of the special court, who not only had to deal with all sorts of frustrating antics by some on Musharraf’s defence team, but also would have been hearing all sorts of theories about the futility of their actions and orders. Two, it is commendable that the army — on the face of it — did not attempt to step in to try and stymie the process, as it very well could have and as has been the case so often in the past. And therein lies the rub: just because it has historically been the case does not mean it should have been assumed, particularly by the media, that this entire exercise was futile. Trend, after all, is not destiny. That said, one can’t help but see the irony that the many of the superior court judges that the former president has now been accused of detaining (as part of his treason charge) in fact validated his military coup in 1999.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2014.
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COMMENTS (15)
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@nadeem:
What covert deal? Yes, Musharraf has been indicted but the court has freed him. He can go any where he likes. The court also indicated that he will not be required to attend the court during the future hearing of the case. So it is a legal process which has come to play and not any covert deal. The ball is now in Nawaz Shareef's court who had clearly said in the past that the matter was in the court and that he will abide by the court's decision. Nawaz Shareef has no moral ground to keep Musharraf on ECL. Like some one said "ACCHON KO BURA SABIT KARNA DUNIYA KI PURANI AADAT HAI".
I am disappointed that a seasoned and other wise rational editor is behaving like an activist. That too, an activist without a cause. Mr. Editor, you should consider yourself privileged, that at this point in Pakistan's history, God has given you an opportunity to help formulate a nationalistic narrative in the masses through your editorials. Not to bring the already uninformed political discourse to an even lower level of discussion. President Musharraf did so much for democracy in this country, that no other ruler had done before him. Coming from the media, you should have been the first person to acknowledge that. Free media was a dream, which President Musharraf made possible for Pakistan. Have you really forgotten that? Dictator? Do you really live in Pakistan? Haven't you seen what kind of 'democratically elected' dictators have ruled on us? It is your duty to set aside your personal biases and analyze President Musharraf's rule. Compare it with all your favorite, 'democratically elected' rulers, and then write an honest editorial on this unfortunate episode in the history of this country. Through President Musharraf's unprecedented free media law's, you have suddenly found a place from which you can become an opinion maker. Use that position to reform the society, not to propagate personal biases.
Those accusing Musharraf of NRO are probably the same ones that otherwise would have complained of not having true democracy unless Benazir, her politicians, and NS and his politicians were allowed to run in the 2008 elections. Moreover, where was the independent judiciary up to 2008 when by then they should have convicted all those corrupt politicians that they went AFTER NRO was promulgated precisely because nothing had come of those cases after 15 years? Had the judiciary done its job those corrupt politicans would have been dealt with and NRO would not have been.
This "dictator" gave democratic power to the people through their local representatives, while this democracy" has dragged its feet for 6 years doing everything in their power NOT to give that constitutional right to the people. This "dictator" raised the Pakistani image and esteem in the world, while these "democrats" dragged Pakistan to a "failed" state over and over again.
@Jamil: No the army has regained professionalism since Musharraf was removed. He was a bad example for the army since a man who can't respect the constitution and laws of the land is showing that he doesn't care for order and discipline. If Turkey can charge rogue generals who want to take over in coups against the law, Pakistan has also shown that it can charge rogue generals too. It shows no one is above the law and that the country is the most important thing. Look at how professionalism came back to Pakistan military under Kayani and now under Raheel Shareef. Musharraf himself undermined the proud Pak military by his antics. The current army leadership has shown that they care about Pakistan more than a former dictator. People respect the military in Pakistan even more now.
31st March 2014, A black day for the army of lions. Army has gone, Allah Hafiz Pakistan.
If it takes this long to just indict him ... can you image how long it will take for someone to get the guts to start a trial? He will likely die of old age before this is concluded.
A good day in Pakistan's history. Even if this turns out to be symbolic - in case Musharraf is exiled to the deserts as part of a covert deal with Nawaz Sharif - it will still make future wannabees think twice before picking up the phone and sending 111 brigade to the PM house. Civilian supremacy alongwith strong checks and balances should be our national goal.
Mr. Editor: You should also write about these political dictators who do not conduct local bodies elections in the country on the basis of various excuses. There has been 8 years people are without their local govt.s. The provincial govt acting as the dictators holding all the powers and not transfering to the local govt. Please write about it too Thanks.
democracy in a country that has struggled with military dictatorship for decades..... Go and find the answer.. Why? Why democracy struggled with military dictatorship for decades...
Because each time Democracy is utterly fail to deliver... and Army is still behind Musharraf... mark my words.
Personally, I find it reprehensible that Musharraf, with no electoral mandate, deemed it fit to pass the NRO, simply to save his own skin. Not that it did him any good as he was out manoeuvred by the likes of Zardari and to a lesser extent Sharif. The damage done to the country from passing the NRO has been immense in terms of lost productivity and uncontrolled corruption.
Commendable that the dictator is being held accountable for breaking the Constitution. Now it is also time to implement the entire Constitution and make sure that the civilian leaders of Pakistan do not ignore the Constitution of Pakistan, as is the case at present and has been for years.
Not only the khaki dictators but the civilians have done the same.