Musharraf’s many miscalculations

And there seems to be no end to it

As the high treason trial draws closer, Musharraf’s moods vary from resignation to defiance. Meanwhile he continues to miscalculate as before. While talking to a private TV channel, Musharraf said he had no regrets about what he did and ruled out any request for clemency if he was convicted of treason. In the same breath, however, the former military dictator said he did not expect to be charged with high treason. He had miscalculated, as he thinks that Article 6 would not be thrown at him. Musharraf also feels betrayed by the former Army chief Gen Kayani’s failure to support him as he had expected him to submit an affidavit to corroborate his stand when his case came up for hearing before the SC.

Musharraf spoke to the AFP however in an altogether different tone. He said the whole army was with him and was in fact upset with the treason allegations, which he denounced as vendetta on the part of Nawaz Sharif and the former CJ. He did not even rule out boycotting the court proceedings. Musharraf might again be miscalculating. The army has already too many pressing issues to deal with like countering the terrorist threat and making preparations to deal with the post-NATO Afghanistan. It needs the support of the elected government and the opposition parties to overcome the challenges it faces. The army can ill afford to annoy the entire political spectrum, judiciary and media for the sake of a retired general who returned to Pakistan in disregard of the advice given him by military authorities, vainly expecting an enthusiastic reception. Meanwhile Musharraf’s friends abroad are appealing to the US and Britain to help the former military ruler and thus ‘repay their debt’ for support provided by the dictator in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Musharraf is once again miscalculating. He should have known that Washington and London do not go out of their way to bail out the once useful ex-rulers of the Third World who have lost their utility.

The treason case is being heard by a special court whose members were selected by the federal government from a list of judges from the all five High Courts provided by the SC. Musharraf’s plea seeking the reconstitution of the court has been rejected by SC. The former military ruler cannot afford to make further miscalculations. He would do well to stop posturing and instead fight his case at the special court.