Zardari now has new ‘Sink-Nawaz, Save-Musharraf Plan’ ISLAMABAD: Forget about the prompt but short-lived positive response of the Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s announcement in the National Assembly to try Musharraf under the high treason charges, the fading PPP mastermind President Asif Ali Zardari is presently pursuing a “save Musharraf-sink Nawaz” game plan. Soon after Shah’s support to the Sharif’s move, the PPP is now pursuing altogether a different game plan reportedly approved by President Zardari. Today, the stance of the PPP and Musharraf’s coterie is the same —- don’t try one man, book the generals, judges, politicians, the whole of Pakistan. It’s a strange coincidence or part of some political plot that the MQM also pursues the same “save-Musharraf” strategy whereas from the ruins of the PML-Q, voices like that of Mushahid Hussain also demand to let Musharraf go off the hook. Mushahid was direct in his demand but the PPP and MQM subtly follow suit by demanding to book others too in the high treason case. They know what they demand is impossible to meet but are sure that this is the only way to save Musharraf and create serious troubles for Nawaz Sharif and his newly-elected government. They want to drag the army and the judiciary into this. They know that even if Nawaz Sharif wants this, it would not happen but would lead to a bitter confrontation between the government on the one side and the judiciary and army on the other side. They are sure that in such a scenario Sharif would be the loser. It means Musharraf would escape the trial and those who had looted and plundered the nation for the last five years like vultures would be in a position to get back and ruin what little is left unhurt by them. The last five years are a witness to the fact that the PPP-led coalition has been a great protector of the dictator and his crimes, including his alleged role in the murder of Benazir Bhutto. Benazir Bhutto in her 2007 e-mail to Mark Siegel had named Musharraf as her possible murderer if she was killed but after her murder, the dictator remained untouched by the PPP’s government. He was instead given a guard of honour upon his departure from the Presidency and then was even allowed to leave Pakistan on his free will and with full protocol. President Zardari, who was indebted to Musharraf’s NRO favour protecting his alleged corruption, was keen to give constitutional indemnity to Musharraf’s Nov 3, 2007 unconstitutional actions. But he could not do it mainly because of the PML-N refusal to become a part of this. The MQM and PML-Q, which worked as Musharraf’s pawn during his dictatorial rule, were the obvious protectors and supporters of the dictator. Now when for the first time in the history of Pakistan a breathing dictator is being put to trial mainly because of the superior judiciary and its decision, what Musharraf and his coterie say has become the policy of the PPP, MQM and others. The November 3, 2007 unconstitutional action of Musharraf never got constitutional indemnity or the judiciary’s endorsement. The July 31, 2009 decision of the SC in the Sindh Bar Association case — which was never challenged or questioned by the PPP, MQM, PML-Q, etc — had concluded that Musharraf was solely responsible for the Nov 3 emergency that was in actual an abrogation of the Constitution. Through the 18th Amendment for which the PPP does much drum beating, the last parliament had given indemnity to the judges who had taken oath under Musharraf’s 2000 PCO but still the PPP and Musharraf (whose parliament led by PML-Q, MQM and MMA had also indemnified the judges oath under the 2000 PCO) are trying to drag others in Musharraf’s trial. What both Musharraf’s coterie and Zardari’s PPP demand is unconstitutional and contrary to the decisions of the apex court. If they are heard, it would lead to an institutional clash between the judiciary, army and the civilian government. If they are adhered to, the army as an institution would be maligned, judiciary’s name would be smeared while the present system would be seriously endangered.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:21:38 +0000
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