Musharraf should face the justice
Musharraf has dodged justice too long. He declined to attend 22 court proceedings on one pretext or another. First he raised the bogey of danger of a terrorist attack on him from several terrorist groups and people having animosity for him. Provided extraordinary security en route to court he suddenly directed his entourage to make a beeline for the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) on the pretext of having developed some sort of heart ailment. Despite medical advice he declined to undergo the necessary angiography on the plea that he did not feel these tests were safe in a Pakistani hospital. He approached the court to allow him to go abroad for treatment. The request was rejected.
Musharraf was morbidly afraid of being indicted in the treason case. His counsel took the plea that Musharraf could only be tried under the Army Act and in a military court. This they thought would provide him a way to wriggle out. Left with no excuse to remain absent from the court hearings, he finally put up an appearance on February 18. As his lawyers once again raised the issue of the jurisdiction of the court, the three-member bench deferred the indictment till the announcement of its decision on the issue. On Friday the special court announced its verdict. The bench maintained that the Army Act referred to in the plea has expired and cannot be applied to the accused who is also no more in military service. Musharraf has been ordered to present himself in court on March 11.
The special court trying Musharraf has already shown enough judicial restraint. His alibi for missing the court hearings were not rejected off-hand. The bench appointed a committee comprising senior military doctors of the AFIC to evaluate the health reports sent by the hospital. The court again ordered adequate security for Musharraf when he finally appeared at the hearing. When Musharraf’s counsel called the verdict a bad decision, the court told him to file an appeal against it. Musharraf is being tried under Article 6 of the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land. He has full opportunity to defend himself. The courts in Pakistan are independent. Musharraf is in a position to hire the best counsel available in the country. Some of them have already appeared in the court to defend him. The only way in a country ruled by law is to seek the redressal of grievances through courts. Musharraf has ruled the country for nearly a decade. The former army chief now heads a political party. One expects him to set a good example by cooperating with the court.