He has to pay for what he did
December 24. He put in appearance only once, continuing to use security and illness as alibi. The court ordered full security for Musharraf while it rejected the plea of ailment maintaining that the medical report submitted by doctors did not state anywhere that he could not appear before the court. Musharraf’s continuous defiance of the court’s orders would have called into question the court’s authority if the non bailable warrants had not been issued.
On Thursday one of Musharraf’s lawyers again told the media that the army was upset over Musharraf’s trial and the government and army were not on the same page over the issue. The remarks were meant to convey the message that there was no chance of the former military ruler’s conviction on account of his military background. Musharraf has himself made the claim that he enjoyed popularity in the army and the ‘whole army’ was upset with the treason case. A number of developments have meanwhile given birth to disturbing questions. Why is the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) which is an army controlled institution continuing to harbour Musharraf, a man dodging the court since December, despite having no life threatening or debilitating ailment? Why was the report about a possible attack on Musharraf with all the lurid details made public? If an ISI officer had an indication regarding terrorists planning to attack Musharraf, he should have secretly passed it on to the law enforcement agencies to enable them to provide adequate security to Musharraf on his way to the court. What happened instead was that the report was made available to Musharraf’s lawyers even before it reached media. Musharraf’s lawyers used it to create sensation and employed it as an excuse for not producing Musharraf in court. Despite the fact that the army’s attitude towards the treason case continues to be hotly debated on media the ISPR has maintained a mysterious silence on the issue. This has naturally provided grist for the rumour mills. Many think the army needs to clarify its position on Musharraf’s trial.
Musharraf has been given another sixteen days to appear before the court failing which the arrest orders are to be executed on the morning of March 31. The court has avoided issuing orders for his immediate arrest. One hopes this is the last concession to the man who is accused of high treason. In case he is allowed to get away with the offence, there would be no end to Bonapartism.
