Unjustified protest

Complaints over Musharraf’s handling are needless

The armed forces all over the world enjoys esteem for being the guardian of the country’s geographical frontiers. On account of its peculiar training and a variety of offensive and defensive equipment put at its disposal, it is also called out by the civil administration for help in emergencies. The military can deal with the complex challenges only if it is well-trained, well-equipped and is highly professional. It must not indulge in any other activity, least of all in time consuming politics – a vocation it is neither meant to indulge in nor is it trained for, if it is to perform its duties satisfactorily. The military is required to be subservient to the civilian authority, all the more so in democracies. Like other institutions and agencies of the state, the military has to act in accordance with the constitution and abide by the country’s laws. Unless it does so its prestige would undergo slippage. Article 244 of Pakistan’s Constitution requires members of the armed forces to take oath to “uphold the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which embodies the will of the people” and not to engage “in any political activities whatsoever” and to “honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan in the Pakistan Army (or Navy or Air Force) as required by and under the law.” Unfortunately four generals with Bonapartist tendencies violated their oath and staged military coups.

A delegation of 75 officers from Command and Staff College, Quetta, led by a senior officer, reportedly met the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence on Friday and expressed concern over the arrest of the former president. Musharraf was the last general to violate the constitution. There are serious cases registered against him which include putting the Supreme Court judges under arrest and being involved in Benazir Bhutto’s murder. The fact that one is an ex-officer of the armed forces does not provide him immunity from law. Knowing that these cases were pending against him, Musharraf decided to return and face the courts. Musharraf is assisted by capable lawyers and has all the opportunities available under law to prove himself innocent. The treatment meted out to him is by no means humiliating as has been claimed. The law requires arrest and questioning of those accused of serious crimes. There is in fact a perception in certain sections that he is being pampered as he has been allowed, against common practice, to stay and be questioned at his Islamabad farm house instead of the police station. Musharraf has decided to enter politics. Why should he not be treated like other politicians?

We have condemned the hooliganism and violence outside the court at the time of Musharraf’s appearance. Being under the protection of numerous well-armed FC and police personnel Musharraf did not need the presence of slogan shouting supporters, thus provoking his opponents to join the competition that was bound to degenerate into an unseemly melee.