Musharraf’s Trial -Mind Boggling Politics

On the 18th of August’2008, a beleaguered Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation as the President of Pakistan. Now after a year the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) wants to try him for treason. The embattled leader continues to deny all charges pressed against him, putting up a staunch defence of his eight-and-a-half years in office, a period that began when he seized power in a coup in 1999, dismantling the Government of Nawaz Sharif of the PML-N.Mr. Musharraf, notorious for being a long-time ally of the US, witness a sink in his popularity since May 2007, after he sacked the country’s Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. The declaration of emergency also involved a complete ban on all media channels, which led to a widespread demonstrations and an all out media campaign against his regime.

: Photo Courtesy- Reuters

After the much anticipated resignation, vows from the new Government started pouring in. These included strengthening democracy, restoration of judiciary and working on the economic crisis. Although Musharraf clearly announced that his resignation was not a step to avoid impeachment ,the PML-N has repeatedly voiced the need for him to be tried of treason. Soon after the resignation was announced leaders from the PML-N party vowed that the ex-president will not be pardoned from the charges against him. Many believe this to be the major reason behind the PML-N’s heavy backing of the restoration of Judiciary.Recently the Supreme court of Pakistan had announced all actions taken by Ex-President Pervez Musharraf as unconstitutional and illegal. However the court recently denied an appeal to try Mr.Musharraf for treason.Dawn Reports:Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who is heading a 14-judge bench hearing challenges to the imposition of emergency, observed that this was not the responsibility of the court. The court would rather take a simple route to decide cases before it, instead of derailing the system.Thus leaving the decision solely on the Parliament. In this case a resolution unanimously passed by the Lower House of the National Assembly, could be the only way to try the Former President. The PPP government has been side-stepping staunch demands from the PML-N. The demands include invoking Article 6 of the Constitution to try Gen Musharraf for high treason, which is punishable with death, for his Oct 12, 1999, coup that toppled then PML-N prime minister Nawaz Sharif and for the Nov 3 emergency, which was declared by a 14-judge Supreme Court on July 31 bench ,as ‘unconstitutional, ultra-vires of the Constitution and consequently being illegal and void.Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday ruled out his government would seek a trial of former military president Pervez Musharraf for high treason, declining - at the risk of a political fallout - a PML-N demand in the National Assembly for the second time this month that the house pass a resolution to call for such a course.’If you bring a unanimous resolution (even now) or our allies permit me, I am at your service,’ Mr Gilani said and added that ‘unless you agree (on this), parliament will not pass a resolution.’Although the Government denies any deals with the Ex-President the dodgy tactics prove otherwise. News regarding the facilities enjoyed by the Ex-President cause further damage to the Government’s commitment on the said issue. It appears that the PML-N is fighting a dirty battle. As the Judiciary has passed the ball in to PPP’s court ,a tussle with the present Government seems apparent.

: Facebook poll regarding Musharraf’s trial, showing a very thin margine between those in favor and those agaisnt. Contrary to popular staunch stance agaisnt the Ex-President

Musharraf’s regime was widely criticized for its alliance with the US.His policies were blamed for the increased number of suicide bombings which were blatantly posed as ‘mere reactions of the army offensive in Pakistan’s northern areas. However ,the coalition government has vowed full commitment to the campaign against violent militancy. Failed negotiations with the militants have now turned in to full fledged operations in the northwest Pakistan, often reassuring the US of better more powerful operations against militants. Drone attacks with in Pakistani territory were considered another important point used against Musharraf. Over the past year these drone attacks have only increased, resulting in killing over 600 civilians while targeting a dozen militants, including the recent killing of TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud .Provided that not much amendments have been done in Musharraf’s notorious policies, trial for the former President seems more ’out of revenge’ than logical.It seems that the current administration of PML-N in Punjab want nothing more than to prosecute Musharraf and possibly hang him for treason, clearly indicative of their lust for vengeance. However these accusations are denied by the party and Musharraf’s trial is posed as ‘an integral issue which will set examples for the future’. This seems extremely difficult to believe provided that Nawaz sharif- leader PML-N- also enjoyed backdoor deals in order to acquit himself of various charges after his Government was dissolved in 1999.With Musharraf’s trial being forced by the PML-N ,there is a lot to wonder about the fate of the NRO and the ‘back-door’ deals made in the 90’s by popular politicians, currently in power.Pakistan is currently fighting terrorism, economic recession, abject poverty and the threat of increasing insurgency. The Country is also recovering from the largest exodus after partition, and in process of launching various full fledged operations against the Taliban. In situations such as this putting one’s energy into prosecuting an Ex-President doesn’t seem to be a significant addition to the State’s priority list.