Musharraf throws ball in Gen Sharif’s court

Former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf said on Monday that he leaves it to the army chief that how far he will go in his defence in the treason case against him.
In an interview with BBC Urdu at his Chak Shahzad farmhouse, Musharraf claimed that the army was concerned and offended over the issue. He said the Pakistan Army was a disciplined force and he has spent good and bad days with the army and also fought wars.
To a question that how far the army will go to save him, Musharraf said opinion is sought within the army, but it is the army chief who makes the final decision. “I leave it to him that what will he do,” the former army chief said.
He denied that the army was his last hope, explaining that he is receiving the ‘feedback’ and he knows the ground level thinking in the army. He claimed that not on the army, but the people also remember his reign during which the poverty level was brought down and a motorcyclist became capable of purchasing a car.
When asked whether the silence of the army over the whole episode of treason case against him shows its consent, Musharraf said this question should be asked from the former army chief (General Ashfaq Kayani).
However, he said, it is better that everything happens ‘quietly’ and in case of any action the newspapers publish distorted reports which gives life to rumours. In that case, he said, the truth becomes falsehood and the falsehood becomes truth. “So it’s better that everything is done quietly,” he said.
The former president vowed to face the trial against him. He said there was nothing in the case and it was politically motivated. He said the basic requirements of the law are also being violated in the case.
He said he did not know how far the special court hearing treason trial against him was impartial. However, he said he was hopeful to get justice from the judiciary and the Supreme Court.