Treason case: ‘Musharraf and army not the same’

Ahsan Iqbal says Musharraf’s legal team was trying to create problems.

LAHORE: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday that former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf should not put at stake the integrity of Pakistan army for his personal gains. Talking to newsmen, Iqbal said, “The treason case against Musharraf is not linked to the army.” He said those try to relate the case to the army were not doing any service to Pakistan. He said Musharraf had been a politician after relinquishing his position in the army and was being tried as a civilian. Iqbal said Musharraf’s legal team was trying to create problems. “They are trying to paint this case as a cause against the army,” he said. Commenting on the Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO), he said it was an ‘extraordinary law’ and had been made for extraordinary circumstances. “The PPO has been promulgated for two years to improve security,” he said. He said the government had started negotiations with militants to establish peace in the country. He said a military operation was an option but it had long-term repercussions.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2014.