The treasury and opposition parliamentarians in the Lower House of the parliament on Wednesday condemned Pervez Musharraf for staging the October 12, 1999 coup and sought registration of high treason case against him for violating the constitution and trampling the sanctity of parliament, judiciary and democratic institutions of the country.
Speaking on points of order in the House, MNAs said Musharraf did dishonesty with the nation by throwing out an elected government. Condemning Musharraf, Ahsan Iqbal of the PML-N said October 12 carried special significance for parliament. He criticised Babar Awan, the “the so-called doctor”, for his suggestion to the Punjab government for registering a high treason case against Musharraf, saying the proposal suggested that Awan held a fake doctorate degree.
“Under the constitution, only the federal government can initiate treason case against Musharraf. ‘He’ is misleading the public and the day amends the existing law, the Punjab government would file a case against Musharraf” he added.
Ahsan said Musharraf staged the coup to save his job and avoid impeachment on the Kargil issue. Jamshed Dasti of the PPP also condemned the October 12 coup and proposed death penalty for Musharraf. However, he said the agreements between Pervez Musharraf and other political players be made public. He asked the PML-N to formally give an application against Musharraf for the registration of high treason case, adding that the federal government would seriously consider it. He also came hard on Punjab government for bad governance, saying “police terror was more dangerous than terrorism”.
Captain (r) Safdar of the PML-N said former law minister Babar Awan failed to perform his constitutional responsibilities as he did not initiate a high treason case against Musharraf. He asked Awan to bring an amended law in parliament so that his party could initiate treason case against Musharraf.
Safdar said Musharraf was an offender of the constitution, public and the army, adding that Balochistan would remain beyond control until their culprit Musharraf was brought to justice.
Responding to the PML-N’s demand of registering a case against Musharaf, Amir Muqam of the PML-Q said all those who worked with four dictators, including Prime Minister Gilani, should be punished for their ‘crime’.
