Challenge and response: Shah hits out at Musharraf for Zardari jail mock-up

Says ex-military ruler should first muster the courage to face up to a prison term

ISLAMABAD: A top opposition leader challenged former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf to first muster up the courage for spending time in prison before mocking ex-president Asif Ali Zardari for “having it easy in jail”.

“Seldom before has a dictator, mortally afraid of jail, exposed himself to ridicule as Musharraf has exposed himself,” a statement issued by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah, read.

Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly said that for over a decade the PPP co-chairman had to appear before various courts, was imprisoned in several cities, served long periods in solitary confinement and even faced torture, all without a court conviction. “Trial courts were specially set up in Attock Fort on the pretext of security to torture him (Zardari).”



Shah added that Zardari was tortured both physically and mentally. Among other punishments meted out, his tongue even was slashed in prison. He was kept away from his family.

“For over a decade, Zardari was not allowed to live with family when his children were in the formative phase of their lives and needed the care of their father the most. If this is not torture while in custody what else is?”

On the other hand, Shah said Musharraf had demonstrated his fear of a jail cell when he [allegedly] feigned illness and instructed his driver to take him to the hospital in Rawalpindi instead of the court.

“Musharraf should try to withstand the hardships and torture for even half a day, instead of ridiculing the torture Zardari endured for over a decade.” Shah said that if the former dictator decides to face jail, the PPP would welcome him under the shade of the mango tree which Zardari had planted in the Lahore jail.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th,  2015.